‘Jalakshetre Dharmakshetre’: Despite a blistering summer, most tanks in Karnataka show inspiring storage

Bengaluru: Minor irrigation tanks across the state are holding excellent water storage, with the 3788 tanks under the department’s jurisdiction providing life-sustaining water to a massive agricultural command area of over 4 lakh hectares, Minister for Minor Irrigation NS Boseraju has said.

In a press release, he informed that according to latest data released by the department, a vast majority of the 3788 minor irrigation tanks in the state have maintained good water levels to this day.

Detailing the water storage capacity, the report indicates that even in the midst of summer, 165 tanks in Karnataka were full. Furthermore, 1355 tanks have retained more than 51 percent capacity. Similarly, 1143 tanks have maintained a water level of up to 50 percent while 959 tanks roughly have 30 percent storage.

Analyzing the district-wise performance, Davanagere leads the state with excellent water storage, as 27 tanks in the district remain full even during summer. Following closely, Chikkamagaluru has 46 tanks full, maintaining exceptional water storage.

Other top-performing districts include Hassan, Tumakuru, and Kolar.

Commenting on the achievement, Boseraju noted that 1184 tanks were being actively filled through 145 lift irrigation projects under the Minor Irrigation Department.

He attributed this retention to a combination of good monsoon rains and the government’s highly effective water management strategies.

“It is immensely encouraging to see such a substantial volume of water successfully stored across our minor irrigation tanks by the end of March, remaining undepleted even as summer progresses. The fact that 1355 tanks are largely full and 165 tanks brimming stands as a powerful testament to the success of our ambitious tank-filling programmes and tank rejuvenation initiatives,” he said.

“By ensuring a continuous flow of fresh water into these tanks through lift irrigation projects (spanning minor irrigation and other departments), as well as supplying treated and surface water to the plain (Bayaluseeme) districts, we have taken proactive measures to prevent them from drying out during the harsh summer months. These data points corroborate that our comprehensive efforts to build a water-secure Karnataka are yielding outstanding grassroots results. This water wealth preserved in our tanks will bring direct, tangible benefits to lakhs of farmers across 4.45 lakh hectares of command area,” he said.