It also presents the status of utilisation of groundwater in Karnataka as on March 2009, both on watershed (sub catchment) and taluk wise areas having 2008-2009 as the base year. The methodology is improved as the estimations are carried out on watershed basis for both command and non command separately than apportioned to taluks.

The report can be very useful for planning, decision making, implementation of minor irrigation schemes, financing well schemes. The report is helpful to concentrate on such areas where immediate protective measures are to be taken to conserve irrigation and drinking water supply in order to sustain groundwater resource.

The report is divided into the following sections:

• Introduction
• Hydro geological features
• Groundwater estimation methodology
• Estimation of groundwater resources
• Computation of groundwater resources
• References
• Annexures

The estimate reveals that 35 taluks are over exploited, 3 taluks are critical, 10 taluks are semi critical, 70 taluks are safe and 58 taluks have different (mixed) stage of development. According to the situation in 2004, 22 taluks were over exploited, 51 taluks safe and 102 taluks have mixed stage of development.

The report reveals that there has been a reduction in utilisation of ground water from 70% to 68% , which can be seen in improved status of Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Bangalore rural districts. This can be attributed to better cropping, irrigation methodology and construction of water conservation structures in the area. Addition of new command areas under the Hemavathy and upper Krishna projects have also contributed significantly to enhancement of groundwater resource.

Comparison of the groundwater assessment of 2004 and 2009 indicates that more number of taluks need appropriate attention as the aquifer system in these areas are affected by steep decline of groundwater levels and the resource.The report concludes that regulatory methods need to be urgently initiated keeping in mind this situation and a regulatory authority be set up through appropriate legislation.

A copy of the report can be downloaded from below: