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Karnataka should follow Rajasthan experiment: Prakash

Staff Correspondent

Rainwater harvesting demonstration centre inaugurated

MINIATURE BIJAPUR: Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash looking at a model of Bijapur at the rainwater harvesting demonstration centre in Bijapur on Wednesday.

BIJAPUR: Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash on Wednesday said Karnataka should follow the water conservation method that has been adopted by Rajasthan.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a rainwater harvesting demonstration centre developed by Nirmiti Kendra here, he said Karnataka has the second largest tract of arid (desert) land after Rajasthan.

Environmentalist Rajendra Singh made water conservation a mass movement in Rajasthan, and it is better if the State takes a cue from the Rajasthan experience. The problem of severe water scarcity can be solved by taking up rainwater harvesting.

Voicing concern over global warming, he said overexploitation of nature is leading to environmental disasters. One should understand that nature has to be protected.

Minister for Animal Husbandry and district in-charge Mirajuddin Patel said gram panchayat members and other local bodies should be given training about rainwater harvesting so that they can implement it in their respective segments.

Mr. Patel emphasised the need for construction of check-dams, which will help increase forest cover and raise the water-table. The Minister suggested that rainwater harvesting demonstration models be set up in all taluks.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin said people can meet half of their annual (water) requirement if they harvest rainwater.

Mr. Prakash felicitated General Manager of Nirmiti Kendra G.N. Malji. Local MLA Appasaheb Pattanashetti presided over the function. Bijapur Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer Rajeev Ranjan welcomed the gathering. K.S. Prasad and Lingaraju, who conceptualised the rainwater harvesting model, were present.

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Karnataka should follow Rajasthan experiment: Prakash

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