The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Banglore): Environmental advocates have raised alarms over the escalating water crisis in Bengaluru, attributing a significant part of the problem to the unchecked commercial land transformations and urban expansion in Kodagu. The Save Kodagu and Cauvery Campaign emphasizes that Kodagu, the origin of the Cauvery river, plays a pivotal role in supplying water to approximately 130 million residents of Bengaluru.
During a press conference, Col C.P. Muthanna (retd), the campaign’s coordinator, highlighted the dire consequences of continued land conversion for commercial purposes in Kodagu. He called upon local gram panchayats to refrain from issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for such activities. Further, he urged state legislators to implore Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to implement stringent controls on land conversion and to consider a moratorium on Bengaluru’s further expansion.
Col. Muthanna warned of the severe long-term impacts on the region’s water supply, stating that Kodagu’s unbridled urbanization could jeopardize the water security of not only Bengaluru but also the agricultural and residential needs of the wider Cauvery basin, including Mandya and Mysuru.
The commercialization and urban development in Kodagu, if allowed to continue unchecked, could transform towns like Gonikoppal, Ponnampet, Virajpet, Madikeri, Kushalnagar, and Somwarpet into sprawling urban centers. This growth could significantly increase local water demand, potentially cutting off the crucial water supply to Bengaluru.
Additionally, Col. Muthanna warned of the potential demographic shifts in Kodagu, which could exacerbate the situation. An increase in population due to the expansion of residential areas might lead to heightened water stress, especially if faced with drought conditions. He cautioned that such scenarios could prompt the government to invoke the National Disaster Act, allowing for the seizure of borewells and water tanks from coffee growers, thereby severely affecting the region’s coffee production.
This call to action underscores the need for sustainable development practices and careful consideration of the environmental impact of urban expansion, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like Kodagu, to ensure the long-term water security of Bengaluru and the surrounding regions.