Depleting water table, 84 blocks of Punjab in danger zone

Ludhiana, Apr 19 (UNI) Indiscriminate use of water has brought 84 blocks of Punjab in the danger zone, Dr N S Malhi, Director Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) stated here today.

Expressing concern over the depleting water resources, Dr Malhi warned that the 84 blocks that are in the red due to declining water table might experience drinking water problems.

He explained that the water table had been declining in Punjab at the rate of 50 cm per year during 1993-2004. However, the depletion plummeted by 74 cm in 2005.

Citing reasons for replacing centrifugal pumps by submersible pumps in the state, Dr Malhi argued that water-depth beyond 70 feet in most of the areas was the major cause for this. Approximately, one-third of the 11 lakh tubewells in Punjab had been converted into submersible pumps.

The installation cost of about Rs 80,000 and over-use of electricity by these pumps added to the economic misery of farming community, he lamented.

He informed that a book entitled, ''Save Water, Save Punjab'' developed and conceived by Department of Soil Sciences of PAU was being distributed among the farmers by the Directorate of Extension Education. A colour poster was also brought out with the message to transplant paddy after June 15 he said while contending that the major reason for declining water table was early transplantation of paddy.

Dr V Beri, Head, Department of Soil Sciences said that transplantation on May 1 caused a decline of 70 cm of water every year as suggested by various scientific studies. However, transplantation on May 10, May 20, May 30 and June 10 led to per year decline in water by 60 cm, 50 cm, 20 cm and 10 cm, respectively.

Hence, transplanting paddy between June 15 to 30 would not cause any harm to water resources, Dr Beri added.

UNI