The Hindu

Mangalore, Apr 10: A resolution was passed at a three-day "Krishi Mela" (agriculture fair), organised by Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), a non-governmental organisation, from April 4 to 6 in Bantwal, to urge the State Government to announce a special package for building check dams across all major rivers in Dakshina Kannada so as to increase groundwater levels in the district.

Nine other resolutions were also passed, a copy of which was handed over to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy when he attended the valedictory function last Friday.

The resolution said that while the district had received good rainfall, the groundwater levels were not getting recharged as expected owing to the poor quality of soil. However, if check dams were built across all major rivers, they would help replenish the groundwater levels, it said.

Participants at the mela opposed demands to divert water of the Nethravathi river to upstream districts of the Western Ghats. They termed such demands as unscientific and urged the Government to reject them. They also resolved to demand that the Government reduce the interest on loans taken by members of self help groups from 11 per cent to four per cent.

They also resolved to urge the Government to bring out a policy on repayment of farm loans, as there was some confusion with regard to the announcement already made on the waiver of interest on loans.

The delegates said that the area on which paddy was grown was on the decline in the district. Therefore, the Government should take steps to conserve seeds of the traditional paddy varieties.

Other resolutions passed included uninterrupted power supply to farmers, filling up of posts in the Agriculture Department, and granting of funds so that similar melas could be organised in future.