NEWS – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the “Water is Future” (NEERIDARE NALE) campaign in Bengaluru, highlighting the state’s ongoing efforts in water conservation and groundwater recharge. The event was organised by the Minor Irrigation Department.

HIGHLIGHTS

Defence of KC Valley Project

• Purpose: To channel treated wastewater from Bengaluru to fill lakes in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts.
• Impact: CM Siddaramaiah asserted that the project has significantly recharged groundwater levels, countering criticism from some quarters.
• Coverage: Of Karnataka’s 227 taluks, 144 face water scarcity, making such initiatives crucial.

Lake Rejuvenation and Groundwater Efforts

• The government has spent thousands of crores on groundwater improvement in Chikkaballapur, Doddaballapur, Tumakuru, and Bengaluru Rural.
• Siddaramaiah claimed Karnataka is leading “Asia’s best lake rejuvenation work.”
• There are 37 lakh borewells in use, many of them unauthorised, indicating overdependence on groundwater.

 Lake Encroachment and Restoration

• Minister N.S. Boseraju announced that encroachments on 41,849 lakes will be cleared by December 2025; 35,000 have already been reclaimed.
• Water filling: Around 1,018 lakes are being replenished annually, benefiting 25 lakh acres of agricultural land.
• Projects like HN and KC Valley are credited for this recharge success.