These five water bodies of Karnataka feature in the list of water heritage sites of India

New Madaga tank in Chikkamagaluru district is another water heritage site. The tank receives water from the Bababudangiri Hills. Presently in the custody of the minor irrigation department, the tank was constructed 500 years ago during the Vijayanagar dynasty.

Built in 1150 by the Chola dynasty, the Cholanakunte tank in Kolar is another water body in the list.

The Vijayanagar canal system, which emerges from the Tungabhadra river (which runs through the Ballari, Koppal and Raichur districts for 215 km), runs in the localised area of 16,243 hectare. Built 400 years ago by the Vijayanagar empire, this has also featured in the list of the water heritage sites from the state.

The stepwell at Aihole, located in the Great Durga temple complex premises, also features in the list. The temple is preserved and conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. The stepwell dates back to the Chalukya dynasty.

Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Bishweswar Tudu, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on March 13 said, “There is no provision under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 to declare a site as a ‘Water Heritage Site’ under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). However, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had constituted a committee to identify 75 Water Heritage Structures (WHS) to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence. A total of 421 nominations were received through the states/UTs, central agencies, NGOs and general public out of which, the committee has recommended 75 water heritage structures. At present, there is no central fund allocated/disbursed for maintenance of these sites.”