GULBARGA: The State Government proposes to enact a legislation to manage groundwater in the State to avoid rapid depletion of the groundwater level.

The proposed legislation will be on the lines of the model bill circulated by the Union Ministry of Water Resources. The proposed legislation aims to discourage farmers from exploiting groundwater resources and popularise micro-irrigation.

Official sources told The Hindu here on Saturday that the provisions of the proposed legislation would ensure that borewells were not drilled close to one another.

Micro irrigation helped farmers conserve water, increase yields and increasing employment irrespective of the size of the land.

The Government proposes to popularise drip and sprinkler irrigation throughout the State and provide subsidies for farmers to adopt the latest technology. One proposal under the consideration of the Government was to extend subsidies for drip and sprinkler irrigation farmers irrespective of the size of holding or region.

Sources said the micro-irrigation revolution would go long way in inculcating discipline in water usage and help in reaping the benefits as in Israel.

To dissuade farmers from exploiting groundwater, the State Government proposes to withdraw subsidies from farmers violating the rules.

Besides encouraging the use of groundwater and surface water, particularly in command areas, the Government proposes to encourage community participation in recharge of groundwater. In districts such as Kolar, Bangalore Rural, Tumkur and Chitradurga, the groundwater has been exploited while in districts such as Shimoga, Chikmagalur and Raichur there is underutilisation of groundwater.

The sources pointed out that the depth of borewells in some areas was nearly 1,000 feet.

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