CH NEWS, RAICHUR
Farmers said the river has remained without adequate water for nearly four months, resulting in a decline in the groundwater table. Several villages along the river are facing drinking water problems for both people and livestock. They also expressed concern over the adverse impact on aquatic life and other ecosystems. The protesters pointed out that orders of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal emphasise maintaining necessary water flow in rivers, keeping in view environmental protection, conservation of aquatic flora and fauna, and ensuring drinking water availability to villages located along riverbanks.
In this regard, they urged the authorities to take immediate steps to release water from the Tungabhadra Reservoir into the river in accordance with the tribunal’s directions. Around two lakh families reside in several villages along the Tungabhadra River in Koppal, Siruguppa, Sindhanur and Manvi taluks. The region also has a large livestock population, while many small and marginal farmers depend on pump sets for agriculture.
The farmers alleged that despite repeatedly submitting memoranda to Tungabhadra Board officials and the concerned ministers seeking release of water, no permanent solution had been found. They said the problem had been recurring almost every year for the past 40 years and demanded a permanent solution in the interest of people and farmers living along the river. Sindhanur MLA Hampana Gowda Badarli, former MLA Basavaraj Dadesugur, JDS leader Basavaraj Nadagowda, and farmer leaders Chennabasava Uppala, Ashok Bhupalagowda, Qasim Saab Dadesugur, M Lingappa, Basanagowda Patil Huda, Amajjappa Mukkunda and Gopal Reddy, among others, participated in the protest.
