News Source: Deccan Herald

Karnataka’s urban water demand and supply gap is set to widen from 24% (2011) to 58% in 2030, according to 2030 Water Resources Group, a unique public-private-civil society collaboration.

To address this growing gap between demand and supply, the state government and 2030 WRG launched the “Karnataka multi-stakeholder platform for water” on Tuesday.

The partnership aims to transform water resources management by mobilising funds through financial institutions and identification of innovative demand-side management solutions.

“The need of the hour is for corporates to partner with farmers to create a supply chain model that helps in the economic empowerment of the farmers. When the government also partners in this model, the implementation will be more effective,” said Bastiaan Mohrmann, Co-Lead, Asia and Middle East, 2030WRG.

First in India

This is the first multi-stakeholder platform for water in India. Similar models will be replicated in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. “Karnataka is among India’s most water-stressed states. Nearly 26% of its groundwater area is over-exploited. Moreover, 54% of the geographical area is drought-prone. Unfortunately, the two largest and economically most important river basins — the Krishna and the Cauvery — have both reached a point where demand exceeds supply,’’ Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, said stressing the need for better water management