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Defence public sector unit HAL has joined hands with International Association for Human Values (IAHV), a sister organisation of the Art of Living to rejuvenate the Kumudavathi river, a tributary of the Arkavathi, which originates in Shivagange hills in Neelamangala taluk of Bengaluru rural district.
“We decided to adopt this Tavarekere mini-watershed and provide the much needed lifeline to the river that met 30 per cent of Bengaluru’s water needs in the past,” said VM Chamola, Director, Human Resources.
There are 18 mini-watersheds planned over the whole river basin declared as ‘over-exploited’ and ‘no borewell zone’.
Chamola symbolically handed over structures to leaders representing the Gram Panchayats of Dodbella, Tyamgondlu, Kodigihalli and Manne to mark the occasion.
The HAL project covering around 26-km radius has ensured construction of boulder checks (34), recharging of well (34) and borewells (7), building of water pools (10) of 20 x 20 metres with five-metre depth and planting of 5,000 saplings that include tamarind, ala, arali, neem, torematti, mahogany etc. These plants help in long-term soil restoration and enhance water absorption.
The river basin is spread over 460 sq km and has 278 villages in the catchment area. The Kumudavathi river was providing water to Tippagondanahalli reservoir, which in turn was supplying water to 30 per cent of Bengaluru city. At present, the reservoir is almost dry with scanty inflow from the river.
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