Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Karnataka Ranks Second in South for Groundwater-Recharge Water Bodies
Karnataka has many lakes, tanks and other water bodies.
A recent census counted 28,075 that are currently in use.
About 8,353 of them mainly help water soak into the ground.
This stored underground water can help people and farms when rainfall is uncertain.
About 96% of the state’s water bodies are in rural areas.
Tamil Nadu has a larger share of water bodies used mainly for groundwater recharge, but Karnataka’s share is higher than those of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
The state’s minister says protecting these water bodies and the land around them is important.
The government plans to use the census information to improve conservation and recharge efforts.
Karnataka has 28,075 water bodies currently in use, according to the Second Census of Water Bodies.
Of those, 8,353, or 29.8%, are primarily used for groundwater recharge.
Tamil Nadu has a higher share at 34.3%; Karnataka’s proportion exceeds those of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
Around 96% of Karnataka’s water bodies are in rural areas, where they support agriculture, drinking water, livestock and livelihoods.
The state plans to use the census data to guide conservation, catchment protection, desilting, lake restoration and rainwater harvesting.
- Who
- Karnataka’s Minor Irrigation and Science and Technology Minister, Dr Ajay Dharma Singh, and the state government.
- What
- Census figures show that 8,353 of Karnataka’s 28,075 water bodies in use primarily serve groundwater recharge.
- When
- The figures are from the Second Census of Water Bodies; no census date is stated.
- Where
- Karnataka, India.
- Why
- The minister says groundwater recharge is important amid recurring rainfall variability and drought conditions, and for supporting rural water needs and livelihoods.
- Water bodies in use
- 28,075
- Used primarily for groundwater recharge
- 8,353, or 29.8%
- Tamil Nadu share
- 34.3%
- Telangana share
- 27.5%
- Andhra Pradesh share
- 19.2%
- Kerala share
- 15.3%
- Water bodies located in rural areas
- Around 96%