EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.VINAY KOCHHAR/CHANDIGARH.
Groundwater exploitation in Punjab has reached dangerous levels. The Water Resources Department has notified 111 blocks in 23 districts in the over-exploited category, while 10 blocks have been placed in the critical category.Following the notification issued by the department, no NOCs will be granted for new tube wells in these areas. Factories that use excessive groundwater will also face strict action.
According to the notification, 15 blocks are in the semi-critical category, and only 17 blocks are in the safe category. This list is based on a groundwater assessment report prepared in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The situation is more concerning in Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Mohali, SBS Nagar, Sangrur, Tarn Taran, and Rupnagar.
7.67 billion cubic meters of extraction exceeds recharge
According to a report by the Ministry of Water Power, annual water recharge in the state is 18.60 billion cubic meters, while groundwater extraction has reached 26.27 billion cubic meters. This means that extraction exceeds recharge by 7.67 billion cubic meters. The government says that concrete steps will now be taken towards sustainable management of groundwater resources.
Focus on canal water and crop diversification
Canal water supply is being increased to reduce dependence on groundwater. The relining project of the Sirhind Feeder Canal has been completed. Nine new canals have been constructed in the Devigarh division, while work on the Malwa Canal Project is ongoing. Seventy-nine canals, spanning 545 kilometers, have been re-energized in the state, and ₹4,557 crore has been spent on canal and canal infrastructure. Crop diversification is also being promoted to reduce the area under paddy cultivation.
The government’s initiative is commendable, but strict restrictions are necessary to address the groundwater crisis. Farmers in areas where canal water is available should be encouraged to use it. – Harsh Nair, Professor, Punjab University
To prevent Punjab from becoming a desert, no NOCs for new tube wells will be issued in 111 blocks. The strictness will be implemented in a phased manner, with restrictions implemented first in areas where canal water is available.
– Barinder Goyal, Water Resources Minister, Punjab Government. # PUNJAB # USA# IMPORTANT STORY ###