Karnataka set to launch statewide ‘Water is Future’ campaign on water security
Bengaluru: In a bid to tackle the growing challenges of water scarcity and promote sustainable water management, Karnataka is set to launch a statewide initiative, ‘Water is Future’ campaign.
Karnataka, the second most arid state in India, faces significant water stress, particularly in its rural regions. To address this challenge, the Water is Future campaign aims to create a water security plan for every gram panchayat across the state, consolidating the government's water conservation initiatives under a unified, strategic mission focused on sustainable water governance.
The first phase of the campaign will cover 525 gram panchayats across 16 districts and 27 taluks where groundwater resources are considered "overexploited" or in a "critical" condition, as reported by Deccan Herald.
"Every gram panchayat in the state will be assessed and categorised based on groundwater status. A state-wide ranking of all GPs as Critical (Red), Semi-Critical (Yellow) or Safe/Sustainable (Green) will be undertaken. This zonation is foundational for identifying areas that need urgent intervention," the minor irrigation department said in a note about the campaign.
Following the assessment, a Master Atlas of Groundwater will be developed, which will provide a geospatial database of vital water resources in each gram panchayat. This data will include details on wells, aquifers, recharge structures, and water bodies.
Using this information, tailored groundwater action plans will be created for each gram panchayat. These plans will recommend site-specific, scientifically validated solutions for water security, including the construction of new recharge structures, the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, and the regulation of water extraction in critical areas. Additionally, region-specific crop-water management strategies will be adopted to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
Minor Irrigation Minister N.S. Boseraju emphasised that groundwater is the invisible foundation of Karnataka’s future. “We're empowering gram panchayats and communities to take charge of their water security. Starting with the most stressed regions, this initiative will combine people’s participation with technology-driven monitoring to restore balance between extraction and recharge,” DH quoted him as saying.
The government will also set up a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) at the Groundwater Directorate to coordinate the 'Water is Future' campaign.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
