It deals with the (a) inequities in sectoral distribution and inadequacy in availability of water (b) inefficiency in use of water in domestic and agricultural sector (c) depleting ground water resource (d) inadequate treatment of watersheds (e) deteriorating surface and groundwater quality (f) degradation of traditional and community owned tanks and (g) siltation in river basins and command areas.
The report presents the hotspots with the objective of highlighting the magnitude of the problems related to environmental degradation with a view to enable the decision makers to select activities like recharge of groundwater, prevent pollution, step up watershed programmes etc. Some problems are unique to a particular water basin as they depend on soil condition, utilization of water etc.
The degree of severity of environmental pressures based on quantity and quality issues vary from region to region. Considering this aspect a prioritization exercise has been attempted to rank the environmental problems keeping in view their socio-economic and ecological impacts and the urgency of the problem. For purpose of prioritization five regions of the State were considered namely Northern plateau, Southern plateau, Coastal areas, Western ghats and Bangalore. The priorities for each region were compiled and a prioritization matrix for the whole State was arrived at.
The action plan delves into some of these points –
- Basin wise planning and maagement system for optimum utilisation of groundwater and surafce awter for next 25 years should be evolved.
- Protection of water bodies: desilting of lakes, fencing, and other emasures should be taken for protection of water bodies.
- All major commercial and industrial units should use recycled water.
- A comprehensive groundwater recharge programme involving the concerbned departmenst of Watershed Development, Mines and Geology, Minior Irrigation and other Urban Local Bodies in overexploited and drought hit areas shold eb conceived and implemented.
- Bio drainage staretgy may be taken up on an experimental basis for waterlogging, soil salinity and for prevention of mosquito breeding in command areas of irrigation projects. Action be taken for the use of geo-fabrics, low density polyethylene and rigid plaster for lining the irrigation canals to reduce the seepage losses.
- A large quantity of water is being expolited for non-domestic purposes like construction, gardening and by health care establishmenst and water is being supplied through tankers in urban areas. At present there is no control on this activity. Legislation to be enacted to set up regulatory mechanism to prevent over exploitation of water in critical areas and to ensure water quality.
- Conjunctive water use involves management of all water resources in an area to optimise the total water use over a period of time. This method should be adopted to tackle the problems of salinity, waterlogging, and the associated problems of acidity and alkalinity.
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