From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, May 20: Obtaining prior permission has been made mandatory for sinking borewells in 35 taluks all over the State as part of the measures to check and control over-exploitation of groundwater resources.
The State Government enforced the Karnataka Groundwater (Development, Maintenance and Control) Rules 2011 and Regulations 2012 with immediate effect.
A high-level State-wide authority to ensure enforcement of the rules and regulations has been constituted, which has been empowered to consider the applications and take an appropriate decision on grant or rejection of permissions for sinking new borewells in the 35 notified taluks.
The Secretary, Water Resources Department (Minor Irrigation) will be the Chairman of the 17-member authority with the Director, Mines and Geology Department, as the member-secretary,
It may be recalled that neighbouring States like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Bihar, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal as well as Union Territories like Pondicherry, Chandigarh and Lakshadweep have already implemented similar steps.
The 35 taluks, in which obtaining prior permission for sinking new borewells has been made mandatory, are: Badami, Bagalkot, Devanahalli, Doddaballapur, Hoskote, Nelmangala, Anekal, Bangalore East, Bangalore North, Bangalore South, Athani, Bailhongal, Ramadurga, Savadatti, Hagadibommanahalli, Hadagali, Chikballapur, Chintamani, Gauribidanur, Gudibande, Shidlaghatt, Chitradurga, Holalkere, Jagalur, Bangarpet, Kolar, Malur, Mulbagal, Srinivasapur, Yelburga, Kanakapura, Ramanagara, Chikkanayakanahalli, Koratagere and Madhugiri.