KRS dam water, still a distant dream for Malvalli farmers

The lush green agricultural fields in Malavalli taluk, which once used to attract Kannada cine industry for shooting schedules, has now lost its charm, with the green fields almost disappearing.

With the lakes drying up and the Cauvery River water not reaching the villages, the people here have limited their agricultural activities to growing ragi and horse gram. A few villagers have even sold their agricultural lands. The region, which used to yield quintals of paddy, is now a thing of the past.

Farmer Siddegowda, whose land is situated just five km from Malavalli town, said, "We used to grow sugar cane. Earlier, we used to get sufficient water and there was no need to water the crop, staying awake during the night. Sometimes, excess water used to affect the lands. Now, the situation has changed, over the past five years. Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam is not getting filled up due to insufficient rains, and hence water does not reach the villages. It is not possible to take up agriculture, depending on the KRS waters."

Raitha Sangha leader N L Bharatraj said that the farmers near Marehalli Lake, Ravani, Nagegowdanadoddi, Vaddarahalli, Gajanuru and other villages, used to grow three crops in a year, as there was sufficient water. But, since five years, no farmer has taken up paddy cultivation, as there is no water for even one crop. It has turned into barren lands and farmers have started growing Nilgiri trees, he said.

The long-pending demand of the people of Malavalli taluk, for 'Kannambadiyinda Yathambadivarege', which means water from KRS should flow from Kannambadi village to Yathambadi in Malavalli taluk, still remains a dream. Canals have been constructed up to Yathambadi, but, there is no water. But, the elected representatives have been saying that water is being released, the farmers point out.

Malavalli taluk also comes under the KRS catchment area. The dam has not been filled for four years and the rainfall has been decreasing every year. The underground water table has depleted. If we get water to meet the drinking needs of the livestock and fill the lakes, it is sufficient, said farmer Boraiah.