Atal Bhujal Pilot Shows Gains In Karnataka Water Management

03 Dec 2025 CW Team

Atal Bhujal Yojana, introduced as a pilot initiative for participatory groundwater management, was implemented in priority water-stressed regions across seven States. In Karnataka, the programme covered 1,199 Gram Panchayats across 14 districts, including Bagalkot, Belagavi, Bengaluru Rural, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapur, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Gadag, Hassan, Kolar, Ramanagara, Tumakuru and Vijayanagar.

The pilot has significantly improved groundwater governance through sustained community involvement. The establishment of Participatory Groundwater Management Committees, the preparation of Water Security Plans, the adoption of water-efficient techniques, community-driven monitoring efforts and the construction of recharge structures have all strengthened the sustainable use of groundwater. During the scheme period, more than 25,000 water conservation and harvesting structures were created in the implementation area, while over 210,000 hectares of land were brought under efficient irrigation practices.

Although Atal Bhujal Yojana was designed as a time-bound pilot with a fixed financial outlay, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has urged all States to integrate the programme’s key outcomes into their broader groundwater management plans.

The information was shared by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

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