KRRS panel to work towards lake rejuvenation

The Karnataka State Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Hasiru Sene constituted a five-member groundwater committee to decentralise the work of rejuvenation of lakes and water bodies in the State.

The committee is expected to rope in members to work towards recharging of groundwater and ways and means to use water for minor irrigation purpose in drought-hit taluks.

Speaking at a seminar on protection of ground water and problems of farmers here on Sunday, KRRS president and MLA K S Puttannaiah said since the government has neglected the need for groundwater protection in the State, KRRS has taken the initiative.

“The government is interested only in making money by proposing projects for water conservation, but the ground reality is nothing much has been done so far. In the name of desilting of lakes, lakhs of rupees are being looted,” he said.

There are over 42,000 known lakes in Karnataka and thousands of smaller lakes which need to be preserved.