Water to be released from Kabini dam to fill up tanks for ten days a month

Irrigation Department authorities have assured to release water from Kabini reservoir near here for ten days a month during February, March and April this year to fill up lakes and other water bodies.

The Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) authorities on Wednesday assured farmers, who staged an agitation in front of the Command Area Development Authority (CADA) office in Mysuru, that water from Kabini reservoir will be released through the irrigation canals to fill up the lakes, tanks and other water bodies to ensure drinking water for the cattle and other livestock in summer during the coming three months.

A statement issued by the Chief Engineer, Irrigation (South), CNNL said water will be released from Kabini reservoir from February 15 through the canals, subject to availability of water.

The CNNL’s assurance came after a group of farmers from Federation of Karnataka State Farmers’ Organisations and Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association gathered outside the office of CADA demanding release of water from Kabini to fill up the lakes and other water bodies.

Protest withdrawn

The protest, however, was withdrawn after the assurance from the Irrigation Department authorities.

Earlier, the farmers, who had gathered at Kuvempu Park under the leadership of the Federation President Hallikerehundi Bhagyaraj, marched in protest to the CADA office, raising slogans against elected representatives. 

Speaking during the protest, Mr. Bhagyaraj alleged that the State Government as well as the district administration had not bothered to release water to the canals to fill up the tanks in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts, while the elected representatives in Mandya had succeeded in releasing Cauvery water for the purpose in Mandya district.

Contending that the failure of the irrigation department authorities to release water to fill up the tanks was causing distress among the farmers using irrigation pumpsets. “ Due to declining groundwater levels, farmers who have cultivated coconut, banana, and sugarcane crops are unable to provide adequate irrigation. Erratic power supply has further made farming difficult”, he complained.

Although 74 feet of water is reportedly stored in the Kabini reservoir, the authorities and elected representatives have failed to release water. Filling tanks would help recharge groundwater levels, he said.

He said the officials have been citing repairs and maintenance of equipment for failing to supply water to tanks in Chamarajanagar district. He urged the authorities to install additional motors and take necessary steps to supply water to the tanks. He also urged the Government to allocate sufficient funds in the coming state budget for tank filling schemes.