Hunagunda
While farmers struggle to protect their crops from withering due to the lack of rain, a canal filled with silt is preventing the use of lake water in some villages. Chittawadagi Kere, also known as Kadoora Lake in Kushtagi Taluk, covers an area of 546 acres and has main canals on the left and right banks, capable of supplying water to about 3,500 hectares of land. The lake is part of a government scheme to fill water from river sources, but its water is not being utilized effectively. With the aim of benefiting farmers from various villages in Hunagunda taluk, including Purtageri, Kadura, Antarathana, Yarigonala, Huchanur, Nagur, and Yadahalli, a cleanup project for the lake’s areas was initiated under the leadership of P.M. Nad Gowda. Over the past decade, thorn bushes have grown in some areas, particularly the Atchukattu area of the lake, leading to dilapidated canals filled with silt, rendering them nonfunctional. This has caused severe problems for the people in the affected villages. Jagadish Jugeri from Purtageri village expressed frustration with the lack of response from authorities despite written requests. During the monsoon season, the already dry fields are further affected by the lack of rain, and the officials’ negligence and irresponsibility have exacerbated the situation. Channappa Hooda and Shivappa Kumbara, farmers from Chittawadagi village, have called for urgent action to desilt the canal and ensure proper drainage from the lake, which they believe would be highly beneficial. Prakash Naik, Assistant Executive Engineer of the Minor Irrigation Department, expressed his helplessness, citing a court case concerning the release of funds to a contractor responsible for the lake’s upkeep and canal repairs. Due to this financial issue, the department is currently unable to carry out the necessary work.
