Construction of barrages to store rainwater has ensured that the farmers of Yadwad village in Dharwad get a continuous supply of water for crop cultivation, writes SHYAM SUNDER VATTAM

The farmers of Yadwad, a small village in Dharwad taluk, have reasons to smile.

After years of struggling for water, the ryots of this village in the north Karnataka region are in a position to grow their crops without being dependent on the frequency of rains. All thanks to the two barrages that have been constructed in the village, farmers not only get a regular supply of water for growing their crops but have also been able to recharge the dry wells in the area. Recharged wells have also solved the problem of drinking water to a large extent.

The barrages built across the small stream of water in the village (halla) were the result of the efforts of the members of Sri Siddeshwara Grameena Abhi-vrudhi Sangha. Members of the Sangha along with Mr Koya-ppanavar, a local civil engineer, prepared the plan and worked out a detailed estimate of the project. Mr Shashi Kulkarni, Director, CAPART, helped to generate about Rs 14.35 lakh for the project, and that along with Rs 2.78 lakh contributed by the villagers, resulted in the project taking off in April this year. The villagers contributed both in terms of manpower and machinery, and the project was completed in October this year.

The nearly two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of the barrage through which rainwater flows, has gates designed in such a way that it can withstand the gush of a downpour, without getting damaged. Once the barrages are completely filled, additional water automatically flows down to join another small stream of water - the Tuppari Halla near Navalgund. The width of the stream is about 50 ft and it is about eight to ten ft tall. According to estimates, nearly two lakh gallons of water could be stored in the two kilometre stretch between the two barrages. One of the barrages is located on Uppin-Betageri Road and the other on Dharwad Road.

With the barrage construction complete, efforts are now on to start rainwater harvesting in the area, besides construction of check dams and bunds, and enhancement of water storage capacity in the village. These measures, experts believe, will also help to increase the level of the otherwise depleting underground water table.

While the water stored in the barrages has benefited the nearly 500 acres of land situated on both sides of the stream, the recharged wells have saved the villagers their long treks (one to two kilometres) to fetch drinking water.

After having seen the benefits of the barrages, Mr Kulkarni says that efforts need to initiated for the construction of similar modes of water storage in other parts of north Karnataka, so that the people there can also get relief from water scarcity.

The need of the hour, however, is an interest among villagers, to pursue the idea.

Since such development works do not need heavy funding, a little co-operation from local bodies would be a big plus, he believes.