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The groundwater situation in Haryana and Punjab has reached an alarming stage, with extraction rates far exceeding sustainable limits, potentially threatening the region's agricultural and ecological future.
Shocking Extraction Statistics Revealed
According to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Haryana's groundwater scenario is particularly concerning:
- Annual groundwater recharge: 9.55 billion cubic metres (bcm)
- Annual extractable groundwater: 8.69 bcm
- Total groundwater extraction in 2023: 11.8 bcm
- Stage of Groundwater Extraction (SoE): 135.74%
Punjab's Even More Critical Situation
Punjab's statistics paint an even more dire picture:
- Annual groundwater recharge: 18.84 bcm
- Annual extractable groundwater: 16.98 bcm
- Total groundwater extraction in 2023: 27.8 bcm
- Stage of Groundwater Extraction (SoE): 163.76%
Observation Wells Indicate Declining Water Levels
Post-monsoon 2023 data highlights the depth of the problem:
Haryana's Well Observations
- Total observation wells: 985
- Wells with water levels deeper than 40 metres: 149 (15.1%)
- Wells with water levels 20-30 metres deep: 253 (25.7%)
Punjab's Water Level Decline
- Total observation wells: 283
- Wells with water levels deeper than 40 metres: 19 (6.7%)
- Wells with water levels 20-40 metres deep: 81 (28.6%)
Government's Response and Recommendations
The Ministry of Jal Shakti has urged states to:
- Reassess policies on free or subsidized electricity for farmers
- Introduce appropriate water pricing mechanisms
- Adopt crop rotation and diversification
- Implement water conservation initiatives
The Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2024 is currently focusing on 151 water-stressed districts nationwide, aiming to address these critical challenges.
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