Date:29/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042905800400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Rainwater harvesting can combat fluorosis'

T.S. Ranganna

Bangalore: Rainwater harvesting in Dharwad, Raichur, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Haveri and Bagalkot districts and parts of Raichur district in north Karnataka and Kolar, Tumkur, Bangalore Rural, Bellary and Chitradurga districts could considerably lessen people's dependence on groundwater with high fluoride and nitrate content.

According to Muhammad Najeeb, superintending hydrologist, Central Groundwater Board, who was here to participate in a national seminar on Sunday on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the Geological Survey of India, this simple technique could save lakhs of people from the scourge of fluorosis. The disease is caused by fluoride-contaminated water from borewells. Fluorosis is contracted at a young age and affects the limbs and teeth.

According to J.K. Jamaadar, secretary of Jal Biradari, large areas of the State do not have major tanks or irrigation projects.

Water in black soil areas in parts of Bijpaur and Raichur districts is saline and has chlorides and sulphates. High salinity is because of intense aridity, high evaporation or land being waterlogged.