Papagni River

Although flowing through a largely semi-arid region, wet cultivation including that of paddy and wheat is undertaken along the Papagni's banks.^[9] Black, loamy and red soils are found in the river basin area. 60% of the river basin comprises cultivated, fallow and culturable wastelands while another 15% is under forests.^[7] The forests here are mostly dry deciduous forests, thorn forests and scrub. The yellow-throated bulbul, starred tortoise, red sand boa and the Kolar leaf-nosed bat are among the major threatened species of fauna found here.^[10][11]

The river has faced serious damage in recent years due to various human activities. Unregulated and excessive sand mining in the riverbed has led to falling groundwater levels in the river basin, besides damaging civil structures on and near the river and has led to both a deepening of the riverbed and deterioration in the quality of groundwater.^[6] Restoration activities under the Foundation for Ecological Security through community participation towards maintenance of check dams, curbing grazing and felling of trees has however led to a revival of the river leading to rising groundwater levels and an increase in tree cover. The success with the Papagni is now being seen as a possible model for the rejuvenation of the Arkavathy river in Karnataka.^[12]

14°35′N 78°42′E / 14.583°N 78.700°E / 14.583; 78.700