Bengaluru, Karnataka Minister for Minor Irrigation and Science and Technology N S Bosaraju on Wednesday said the state government is considering formulating a new policy aimed at enhancing groundwater recharge across the state.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of a three-day national conference on Sustainable Groundwater Management for Water Security organized by the Karnataka Academy of Science and Technology.
Speaking at the event, Boseraju pointed to the decline in groundwater levels and attributed the trend to increasing urbanization and deforestation.
Emphasizing the historical dependence on groundwater for industrial, agricultural and domestic purposes, he said the depletion of this vital resource poses significant risks to future generations.
Minister Bosaraju was quoted as saying, "Groundwater exploitation is accelerating while efforts to recharge it are slowing down. Urban expansion is disrupting natural recharge processes. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these impacts." , or our successors will suffer the consequences." A statement issued by his office.
Noting that the current drought has highlighted the need for water conservation and to prevent further groundwater exploitation, the Minister underlined the importance of implementing rainwater harvesting systems and promoting groundwater recharge.
He called for a collective effort to adopt sustainable practices and said that the Ground Water Directorate is actively considering a policy that will provide incentives for such initiatives.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also shown interest in this regard.
Boseraju also stressed the importance of raising awareness about the progress in groundwater management through national conferences and urged collaboration with line departments for effective implementation.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of a three-day national conference on Sustainable Groundwater Management for Water Security organized by the Karnataka Academy of Science and Technology.
Speaking at the event, Boseraju pointed to the decline in groundwater levels and attributed the trend to increasing urbanization and deforestation.
Emphasizing the historical dependence on groundwater for industrial, agricultural and domestic purposes, he said the depletion of this vital resource poses significant risks to future generations.
Minister Bosaraju was quoted as saying, "Groundwater exploitation is accelerating while efforts to recharge it are slowing down. Urban expansion is disrupting natural recharge processes. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these impacts." , or our successors will suffer the consequences." A statement issued by his office.
Noting that the current drought has highlighted the need for water conservation and to prevent further groundwater exploitation, the Minister underlined the importance of implementing rainwater harvesting systems and promoting groundwater recharge.
He called for a collective effort to adopt sustainable practices and said that the Ground Water Directorate is actively considering a policy that will provide incentives for such initiatives.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also shown interest in this regard.
Boseraju also stressed the importance of raising awareness about the progress in groundwater management through national conferences and urged collaboration with line departments for effective implementation.
