Resume 'Cloud Seeding': H K Patil

Bangalore, May 17 (UNI) Opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Council H K Patil today urged the state government to resume 'Cloud Seeding' which was rigorously pursued in the neighbouring states.

Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day Workshop on 'Impending water crisis in Karnataka' organised jointly by Karnataka Legislative Council and State Planning Board here, Mr Patil regretted that 'Cloud Seeding' programme which yielded tremendous result in 2003 was not continued despite several parts of the State facing severe drought condition.

Mr Patil, who was Water Resources Minister in the previous government, said that 'Cloud Seeding' was abandoned later while the neighbouring states including Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are benefiting by continuing the programme. Over 60 countries in the world have adopted 'Cloud Seeding'. The programme would also help to boost the agrarian economy in the country, which was in bad shape.

He also urged the concerned to establish an Indian Institute of Weather Modification, to conduct study and research and advice on the adverse impact of global warming and its related developments.

He said that though state had adopted a comprehensive water policy, it had remained in paper. Reminding that Karnataka, after Rajasthan, has largest tract of arid region and there is a need to redefine the water management programme to ensure supply of drinking water to every habitant and meet the constitutional obligation.

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