Conduct studies of river basins, BKC urges govt

Congress leader B K Chandrashekar (BKC) has sought that the state government conduct detailed studies for different river basins.

The former minister’s statement comes in the backdrop of the interim order of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, rejecting the state’s plea for 7 tmc ft of water.
He said that the findings could be used to design irrigation and hydro-electric power projects and also in discussions on inter-state river disputes.

In a media statement, he sought that the state government factor in climate change while dealing with inter-state river disputes and planning irrigation and power projects.
Citing studies by the Bangalore Climate Change Initiative and the Indian Institute of Science, he said Karnataka was expected to experience a projected warming of 1.7 to 2 degree Celsius by 2030s and 3 to 5 degree Celsius by the 2080s. This would lead to increased evapo-transpiration demands, moisture stress for crops and increased water demand for irrigation.

“The severity of droughts and floods is likely to increase in Karnataka. The impact on agricultural production and farming community will be severe since over 70% of the cropped area is under rain-fed agriculture,” he said.

The former minister said change in normal monsoon rainfall distribution pattern will adversely impact water availability and crop production.

“Increased rainfall is damaging crops and harming human settlements, apart from causing floods. It is important to conduct global climate model-based and regional climate model-based projections of climate change impact on rainfall, floods and droughts, evapo-transpiration demands, flow of water into the river basins and reliable flow of water into reservoirs,” he added.
 
‘Give relief to people hit by demolitions’
Chandrashekar has sought compensation for poor people who have lost their houses in the demolition drive to clear encroachments on stormwater drains.
In a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Chandrashekar has said that several poor people have unintentionally violated the law by purchasing land or properties on stormwater drains or in the buffer zones of lakes.
Welcoming the demolition drive, he said that no government had taken such a bold decision in the last 25 years.