'Check on proliferation of borewells tough'

Speaking at a national workshop on 'Regulation and Protection of Groundwater Resources' organised by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) he said even though several measures have been taken to conserve groundwater, the need of the hour is self-regulation on the part of farmers.

Karnataka uses only 45 per cent of surface water and 55 per cent of groundwater. As many as 35 taluks in State have over exploited groundwater. Ten taluks are in critical condition owing to reckless tapping of groundwater, added Ravikumar.

Director of Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, V S Prakash presented a case of Benni Halla in Gadag which is ravaged by both drought and floods.

"Though Gadag is a drought-hit region and prone to floods, no measures have been taken to improve the groundwater table.