14 lakh groundwater irrigation sources identified in Karnataka

The seventh Minor Irrigation Census and the second Census of Water Bodies in Karnataka have mapped nearly 39,000 lakes and water bodies that come under Minor Irrigation, and 14.18 lakh wells, including borewells and open wells, being used for agricultural activities, across the State.

While the wells mapped to tap underground water systems are for only agricultural activities (urban drinking water borewells not included), the 38,960 water bodies have covered up to 2,000 hectares of command areas. Besides, the Census has identified 77,573 surface water schemes, which include lift irrigation projects.

The data gathered in the Census was funded by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and uses 2023-24 as the reference year. The Census covered 30,671 villages, 300 urban local bodies, and 7,128 urban wards. More comparative data and findings of the Census would be available in the coming days, sources said.