Mangaluru: There is a ban on digging borewells in Puttur taluk, as maximum underground water is being used in Puttur taluk, said DK ZP CEO Dr M R Ravi.

Addressing Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs) after inaugurating a workshop on ‘Rainwater harvest, reuse, prevention of water contamination and steps to prevent children falling into open borewells’, at ZP here on Thursday, he called upon the PDOs to take necessary steps towards conserving water.

After Puttur taluk, 70-80% of underground water is being used in Mangaluru and Belthangady taluks. “Some of the panchayats have a borewell for every house,” he said and added that people dig second borewell when the first one fails, without even trying to check why did the first borewell failed. “It is sad that hardly any one thinks of underground water recharging,” he said.

According to an information booklet published by the Mines and Geology Department, the water level in Bantwal taluk has gone down from 8.15 metres in 2011 to 9.53 metres in 2016. Similarly, the water-level in Belthangady has gone down from 6.73 metres in 2011 to 8.67 in 2016. In Mangaluru, it has gone down from 9.40 metres to 12.96 metres; In Puttur, it has gone down from 5.17 metres to 7.12 metres; and in Sullia, it has gone down from 9.06 metres in 2011 to 10.68 metres in 2016.

Horticulture Department deputy director H R Nayak stressed the need to stop the running water during rainy season. “If farmers take up drip irrigation, more area can be covered for farming,” he said and added that the government is offering 90% help for those farmers with less than 5 acre of land, who opt for drip irrigation. Similarly, the government is offering 45% help for those farmers with farm area between 5 acres and 12 acres, who opt for drip irrigation.

Mines and Geology Department retired deputy director Dr B M Ravindra was the resource person. Mines and Geology Department deputy director Dr Sumithra S was present.