Punjab will gone to run out of groundwater in 20 years
According to a 2017 study by the Central Ground Water Board of the Ministry of Water Resources, 10 districts are the worst affected, including Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, Pathankot, and Patiala.
Over 96% of the 35.78 billion cubic metre groundwater extracted is used by paddy growers, according to Punjab’s agriculture department.
Different national and state level agencies have predicted a
grim scenario for Punjab, with over a majority of the state — 79% to be precise
— over-exploiting its sub soil water, the water found immediately below the top
soil.
If the annual rate of fall in sub soil water, currently 51
cm per year, continues, the state would empty all its water reserves in 22
years turning the country’s food bowl into a desert. From being food producer,
the state would become a consumer.
According to a 2017 study by the Central Ground Water Board
of the Ministry of Water Resources, 10 districts are the worst affected,
including Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, Pathankot, and Patiala. There,
the fall is most acute, at nearly one metre a year.
The fall is evident from the fact that tubewells in these
districts are dug as deep as 300 feet to get water fit for irrigation.
Only 16% of the state is in a safe zone. Out of the 138
blocks mapped, 109 blocks or 79% over exploit their sub-soil water, and 17
blocks or 16% of state’s area fall in the safe zone.
According to figures provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America, the groundwater level in the state is depleting at an average of one metre every three years.
“We alone can’t be blamed for the fall. There are other
users such as industry and domestic users who over exploit the subsoil
reserves. And schools, colleges and hospitals waste with impunity,” said Balbir
Singh Rajewal, who heads a faction of the Bharatiya Kisan union.
Read More: PUNJAB And Its Ground Water Level
However, the state agriculture department’s figures show
that of 35.78 billion cubic metre water extracted from the ground, 96.65% water
is used to grow paddy, while 0.53% is used by industry, and 2.82% is used for
domestic purposes.
In fact, the Government of Punjab enacted a law, titled Preservation of Subsoil Water Act in 2009, which mandated delayed paddy nursery and sowing activities by farmers in Punjab.
Punjab is one of the biggest producers of wheat and paddy.
The state agriculture department forecasts that if the rate
of fall continues, water up to the depth of 100 m will finish in 12 years while
the water available at 300 m will finish in 20-25 years.
“Falling water table is serious environmental concern. Civil society should join the effort to save our natural resources,” said Punjab’s secretary of agriculture department KS Pannu.
Read More: Is Punjab's water safe for drinking or not?
Read More: PUNJAB And Its Ground Water Level
Please comment your views and suggestions : How can we over come this problem?
Govts are not serious about this problem. Public is not talking about this. We have to be aware about it.
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