In India, approximately 28% of water units that are overexploited are situated in the states of Punjab and Haryana, indicating a significant problem with water exploitation in these agricultural areas. Out of the 736 units in the country classified as overexploited, with groundwater extraction exceeding 100%, 205 are located in Punjab (117) and Haryana (88).
The overexploitation of groundwater is not only impacting agricultural irrigation, but also domestic and industrial water usage, posing a major challenge for both Punjab and Haryana. Experts are worried that without prompt corrective actions, these states could face severe water shortages in the future.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti has released a list of districts in Lok Sabha that fall under the categories of over-exploited, critical, and semi-critical (OCS). In Punjab, out of 133 units across 22 districts, 117 are classified as over-exploited, three as critical, and 13 as semi-critical. Similarly, in Haryana, there are 88 units in 20 districts categorized as over-exploited, 11 as critical, and nine as semi-critical.
The districts with the highest number of over-exploited units in Punjab include Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, and Gurdaspur, while Kaithal, Karnal, and Kurukshetra have the most in Haryana.
While the central government provides technical and financial support, the responsibility for managing water resources and ensuring water availability primarily lies with the state governments.
To assess and characterize aquifer systems across the country, including Punjab, the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has launched the National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM). In water-stressed regions, particularly Ludhiana and Sangrur districts, focused studies are being conducted.
The Ministry has established the Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE) to promote efficient water use in various sectors. The bureau aims to enhance water use efficiency in areas such as irrigation, drinking water supply, power generation, and industries nationwide.
Efforts are being made to encourage farmers in water-stressed regions to switch to crops that require less water and adopt micro-irrigation techniques. In Punjab and Haryana, various events have been organized to promote this transition.
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