Bengaluru : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to preside over a high-level meeting of the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) to address strategies for managing and conserving nearly 40,000 water bodies across the state. Ahead of this, N.S. Boseraju, Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology, convened a preparatory meeting at Vidhana Soudha to streamline departmental coordination and discuss revenue generation approaches.
Groundwater Conservation and Revenue Strategies
Highlighting the significance of water body conservation, Minister Boseraju stressed the role of lakes in enhancing groundwater levels. He advocated for strong interdepartmental collaboration to tackle conservation challenges and explored potential revenue-generating activities like fishing, floating solar installations, and boating to support sustainable water body management.
Revival of Lake Users’ Associations
Reviving Lake Users’ Associations, a proposal outlined in the state budget, was also a key point of discussion. The Minister directed officials to draft actionable proposals to implement this initiative, aiming to engage local communities in lake conservation efforts.
CM to Chair Upcoming Meeting
As Chairman of the KLCDA, CM Siddaramaiah will lead an upcoming meeting to review departmental reports and approve critical decisions for lake conservation and development. Departments have been instructed to present comprehensive reports detailing challenges and proposed solutions.
Participants and Coordination
The preparatory meeting saw the presence of Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Minor Irrigation Department Secretary Raghavan, and senior officials from various departments, including Finance, Law, Cooperation, Urban Planning, and the KLCDA.
This initiative underscores the state government’s commitment to preserving Karnataka’s water resources while fostering sustainable practices and community involvement.