'Sowbhagya Sanjeevini, a boon to farmers'

Speaking at a seminar organised by Coastal Development Authority to discuss the pros and cons of Sowbhagya Sanjeevini scheme, he said that the scheme would involve 13 rivers from the undivided Dakshina Kannada districts. Only 2.2 per cent of water is being used for irrigation and 6.5 lakh acres are being used for agriculture out of the 21 lakh acre land. In case the project is implemented, it would help to enhance agriculture in an additional 4 lakh acre land, he said.

Speaking on the projects’ other salient features, he said that canals will be constructed to link the rivers and road will be formed in the West Bank of the canal, About 35 highest places situated at about 5 km inside the coastal belt will be selected for housing power houses for the hydro electric project. Focus will be given to drinking water supply, flood control, development of tourism, inland fisheries, network inter connecting roads and enhancing overall financial development, he said.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Yogish Bhat said that coastal district is not short of natural resources and more focus should be placed on utilising it well.
Malaysia and Japan have successfully harnessed water in channels and this technology can be researched.

It would be difficult to get fund from the government for this project and hence it should be done with government-private organisation partnership.

With the implementation of this project, 30,000 cubic metre water will be available. DK district needs about 10,000 cubic metre. The remaining water can be diverted to the neighnouring districts, suggested Bhat.

“This seminar is organised to get suggestions of experts and the opinions from people. With this seminar, one can take note of the projects requirements. Experts from different fields have been invited for the seminar for this purpose,” said Costal Development Authority Chairman Nagraj Shetty.

“With massive urbanisation, there is lack of drinking water, irrigation and electricity points out the Nanjudappa report. The project may address these issues and people’s representatives should implement this project soon,” stressed K S Hegde Institute of Management Professor G V Joshi.

NITK, Surathkal  Professor S G Mayya said it is necessary to define what exactly excess water is. Downstream issues have not been addressed and economic viability is important, he said.