SESSION-16: College Students
PAPER-15: Assessment of Environmental Impact on Traditional Water Harvesting
Structures in Udupi Taluk of Coastal Karnataka
Kavitha Kamath, Divya Lakshmi and Vinod Pinto A.R.

Abstract:

Udupi taluk lies in the coastal region of Karnataka State. The area receives very good rainfall during South-West monsoon period, the annual being 3900 mm. Rivers like Mulky, Pangala, Udiyavar, Sita, and Chakra flow across and drain the district before joining the Arabian Sea. Though the area is bestowed with rich water resources, it faces acute shortage of water in summer months for drinking and agricultural purposes. The water scarcity in summer is attributed to high rate of run-off during monsoon, porous laterite, indiscriminate exploitation and management of water resources. In the present scenario rejuvenation and utilisation of traditional water management systems (small tanks, village ponds etc.) can be considered as one of the low cost alternatives.

In the above context, an attempt will be made to identify and document existing traditional water harvesting structures in the region. An attempt will also be made towards rejuvenation of such structures in collaboration with technical institutions, village panchayaths and local people.