State’s future looks ‘semi-critical’

Water crisis

Ramakrishna H R, Director, Ground Water Directorate

What is the main cause of worry with regard to depleting groundwater levels?

As per recent figures, the extraction of groundwater has increased from 66% to nearly 70% (of the recharge) from 2013 till 2017. The state is gradually slipping into the semi-critical category and this is a matter of worry. In Kolar, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Bengaluru rural, Bengaluru urban, Doddaballpura, Nelamanagala, Ramanagara, Anekal and Chitradurga, the water levels have gone down to 1000- 1350 feet.

Why has the government failed to implement programmes to improve the situation?

The government is working on this. Things are progressing slowly.

Why is there still reluctance among people to go for rainwater harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is not difficult and should be done in all residential and commercial buildings.

Space cannot be an excuse as rooftop harvesting can be done in any place.