The Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, launched the World Bank-aided Karnataka Community based Tank Management Project in Bangalore, commended the World Bank for bestowing attention to the schemes to improve rural life. The project, which had the involvement and participation of beneficiaries and the government, was only a motivator and it was the first of its kind in the country. The Rs 670 crore project is intended to restore and protect 2,000 tanks in 34 taluks in nine drought affected districts to irrigate 67,000 hectares of land.