Sirsi: "The present situation of severe water scarcity should be utilized to create awareness about water conservation," said environment writer Shivanand Kalave.

Speaking at a water conservation workshop, organised by Taluk Administration and Agriculture Department, for Panchayat Development Officers, here, on Wednesday, he opined that the governments should spend money for creating awareness about water conservation also, in addition to construct water storage tanks. Water should get a prominent place in the discussions about development. The models of works taken up by the government should be analysed properly, and errors should be rectified.

Drought has affected the Malnad region also. Negligence towards traditional methods of conservation is the reason for water scarcity. Unfortunately, we spend more on digging bore-wells, but not show much interest to develop tanks. More efforts of rainwater harvesting are essential for better water conservation, Mr Kalave noted.

Retired geologist G V Hegde stressed the need to have long-term watershed development programmes.

MLA Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri inaugurated the workshop. Assistant Commissioner K Raju Mogaveer, Taluk Panchayat President Shrilatha Kalermane, and others were present.