The rapid urbanization and mining activities in the state have come at a huge cost for Karnataka. The state’s environmental condition is deteriorating at a catastrophic rate due to incessant workforce migration, rapid industrialisation, and the uncontrollable population growth that has put pressure on the natural resources of the state. Natural resources in Karnataka are depleting at an alarming rate, while large-scale deforestation due to industrialisation and urbanisation has affected the ecosystem in the Karnataka, thus, creating an ecological imbalance.
Karnataka has prospered exhibiting a steady and phenomenal economic growth in the last few decades, but the speedy development has adversely affected the environment of the state. The environment has become a pertinent issue in the urban clusters of Karnataka, as the cities have become overpopulated. The over-dependence on the scarce resources available in such cities have had a negative impact on the environmental aspect, choking the drainage systems as well as the increasing use of transportation has affected the air quality of these cities. Recently, the air quality of the cities like Bengaluru, Davanagere, Tumakuru, and Bidar was considered to be way above the national standard of air quality index. Tumakuru was ranked the highest in the state with an air quality index of 131, while Bengaluru has an air quality index of 130, according to the recent study conducted by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. On the other hand, the cities of Mysore, Mandya, and Bhadravati have an air quality index below the national standard, while the town of Hassan has an air quality index of 28, the lowest in the state of Karnataka. The air quality standard in Karnataka is deteriorating at an alarming rate due to the increasing vehicular pollution and lack of scientific waste management system, the developing cities and towns are the worst affected.
Cauvery river that’s been a century-old conflict between the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka on the sharing of water resources from the river, has faced the environmental problems in the part of the river flowing in Karnataka. In the recent years, the speedy construction of various infrastructural projects and expansion of railway system, has caused irreversible damage to the river. According to the recent surveys conducted by environmentalists and NGOs Cauvery river has dried up in the Kodagu, the source where Cauvery originates. According to the researchers, the place has seen speedy development in the region that has come with its own cost, destructing the ecological balance of the region, while tourists have also played an important role in the damage done to the river. While in the northern region of Karnataka, mismanagement of water resources of Mahadayi river has affected the area, as droughts have become a recurring calamity. The state government has been unable to utilize the scarce water resources available in the region in an efficient and sustainable manner to help the drought-affected farmers in North Karnataka.
Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru is on the verge of an acute water crisis, the surplus population of the city and the inefficient water management system, has depleted the water resources in Bengaluru. Research has proved that lack of water isn’t the issue, instead the reckless misuse of water resources is the reason why many cities in India are on the verge of an acute water crisis, leaving the millions of people living in the cities starving for water. Natural resources like air, water, biodiversity, and the eco-system are basic human rights, every individual should have access to the clean and safe environment, thus, it becomes the duty of the state government to provide the citizens with a clean and safe environment. Clean environment is certainly going to be a major issue on which the urban voters will give their support to the political parties in the upcoming state elections. Congress and BJP will be looking to have a clean and safe environment as an issue top of their political agenda in Karnataka elections.
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