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Karnataka's First Spring Census Maps 274 Water Sources Across State

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has commended Karnataka for the time-bound completion of its first Spring Census. The survey identified and documented 274 springs across all 31 districts, with Belagavi recording the highest number. The data reveals most springs are in rural areas and provides details on their flow and ecological status. This digitised database will be foundational for future spring conservation and water resource planning in the state.

Key Points: Karnataka Completes First Spring Census, Centre Commends Effort

  • First-ever spring census in Karnataka
  • 274 springs mapped across 31 districts
  • 144 perennial and 114 seasonal springs
  • Data to aid future conservation projects
2 min read

Karnataka completes first 'Spring Census'; Centre commends state for time-bound effort

Karnataka successfully documents 274 springs in its first-ever census, providing crucial data for water conservation and river system management.

"Despite logistical challenges posed by the monsoon season, field enumerators successfully identified and documented a total of 274 springs. - B.K. Pavithra"

Bengaluru, March 24

The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, has commended the Karnataka Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department for the successful and time-bound completion of the state's First Spring Census.

B.K. Pavithra, Secretary of the Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department, officially received the certificate of appreciation in recognition of this achievement, an official statement by the Ministry of Minor Irrigation said on Tuesday.

Conducted under the Irrigation Census Scheme with technical guidance from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Directorate of Groundwater served as the nodal agency for this programme.

Sharing insights from the finalised digital census report, Secretary Pavithra said that despite logistical challenges posed by the monsoon season, field enumerators successfully identified and documented a total of 274 springs across all 31 districts of Karnataka.

Highlighting the regional distribution and ecological health of these water bodies, she said Belagavi district recorded the highest number with 59 springs. A significant majority of these water sources remain active, with 144 classified as perennial and 114 as seasonal, while 16 have dried up over time.

The report provides a detailed breakdown of the nature and location of these springs. It shows a strong rural concentration, with 256 springs located in rural areas compared to just 18 in urban areas.

In terms of geological discharge, 117 springs are free-flowing, while 157 are seep springs. The census also documented unique hydrological features, including a hot spring at Bendru Theertha in Dakshina Kannada district, Patvithra stated.

The census underscores the ecological and cultural significance of springs in Karnataka, which serve as lifelines for major river systems.

The report maps the origins of key rivers, noting that the River Cauvery originates at Talakaveri in Kodagu district, the River Hemavathi at Javali in Chikkamagaluru, and the River Sharavathi at Ambutheertha in Shivamogga, Parvithra said.

She further said the digitised data will serve as a foundational database for future spring conservation, rejuvenation projects, groundwater management, and comprehensive water resource planning across Karnataka.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great work by the field teams, especially completing it during monsoon! 16 springs have already dried up? That's alarming. We need to act fast before more disappear. The urban-rural disparity (256 vs 18) is also very telling about where our natural resources are surviving.
R
Rohit P
As someone from Belagavi, proud to see our district leading with 59 springs! But this also means we have a bigger responsibility to protect them. Hope the local panchayats get involved in the conservation plans.
S
Sarah B
A hot spring in Dakshina Kannada! That's fascinating. Beyond just data, I hope they also document the local stories and traditions around these springs. They're not just water sources, they're part of our culture.
V
Vikram M
Commendable effort, but 274 springs for the whole state seems... low? Or is it that we've already lost so many? The digitised database is a good move. Now please make it publicly accessible for researchers and NGOs to use.
M
Michael C
This is the kind of scientific, data-driven governance we need for environmental issues. Mapping the origins of rivers like Cauvery is crucial for interstate water management too. A step in the right direction.

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