KOLAR: One of the largest tanks in Kolar district, S Agrahara tank, is overflowing after 17 years, following heavy rain in the region. The tank spread over 1,200 acres was also receiving water from KC Valley project.
Under the project, recycled water is being released into 75 waterbodies of the parched district.
This is the second biggest tank in the district after Ramasagara tank. As the news of the tank brimming over Friday night spread, hundreds of people crowded the spot.
On Sunday,
Kolar MP S Muniswamy
, former speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and former ministers
K Srinivasa Gowda
and Krishna Byre Gowda offered bagina to the tank.
The KC Valley project utilises water entering the
Koramangala
Challagatta valley, treats it and and releases it into the tanks to rejuvenate the depleting groundwater table. The district has no major rivers and a series of tanks built to impound runoff rainwater flowing downstream is the backdrop of its rural economy. However, the system is under severe strain as it's dependent on the vagaries of
monsoon. Muniswamy said plans are afoot to develop the tank as a picnic spot with assistance from the forest department. He said a large number of deer and peacocks are found in the district and a mini zoo will be set up in the area.
So far, 75 tanks in the district have been filled with water from KC Valley project in the first phase and another 225 will get water in the second phase, he added.
A Nalini Gowda, president of Kolar district Raitha Sangha women's wing, said the authorities should initiate steps to preserve ecology around the tank and develop the area.
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