Several areas coming under the Western Ghats in the state have been declared as drought-hit which is a matter of concern, Joint Director of Agriculture Department Raju said.

He was speaking during a programme on water conservation, organised jointly by Central Ground Water Board and Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, held at Kaveri Kalakshetra here, on Friday.

“As many as 26 states in India have been declared as drought-hit and 16 districts in Karnataka are drought-affected. If we do not rise to the occasion and start conserving water, the future generations will face consequences,” he said and called upon all the people to instal rainwater harvesting system in their houses.

Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary Guduru Bhimasena said there was a need to create awareness among people on the conservation of groundwater. The groundwater should be recharged, he said.

Senior Geologist Soumya said, ‘Water cannot be replaced by any other substance.’ Out of the total available water on the earth, only 2.7% is potable. The need of the hour is to prevent contamination of groundwater. The role of society is important in this regard, she added.

Central Ground Water Board Regional Director A Subburaj said overuse of groundwater was not a good development. “There is a need to strike a balance between the use and recharge of groundwater.”

Agriculture Department Joint Director Mahantesh, Central Ground Water Board scientists M Muttukannan and Dr Anant Kumar Urs were present.