Punjab is an Indian state located in the northern region of the country. Many know it for its rich culture, unique cuisine and geographical beauty. Recently, Punjabi farmers have been facing a challenge. This challenge is water shortages. Water shortages in Punjab have raised the importance of addressing the issue of water scarcity.

The Issue

Water scarcity is a harsh reality that Punjabi farmers have been facing recently. Punjab, known to many as India’s breadbasket, is home to many rice farmers who rely on water to grow their crops.

A dependency on groundwater is one of the root causes of this issue. Punjabi farmers do not have access to canal water, making groundwater their only option. According to some Punjabi farmers, groundwater was reachable at 4.5 meters deep around seven to eight years ago. As of now, it is only reachable at 21 meters. This change represents the declining groundwater level.

The country of India as a whole relies on the Punjab region for food, especially for wheat and rice. Currently, about 8% of the population lives below the poverty line. If the water scarcity issue continues to worsen, the possibility of a food shortage for the entire nation will arise.

Causes of Water Scarcity

One can attribute water shortages in Punjab to many contributing factors. One key factor is how Punjabi farmers are depleting the region’s aquifers. Water is one of the most important parts of rice and wheat cultivation, forcing farmers to find water wherever possible and acquire as much as they are able to.

The state also deals with inefficient water management systems. One issue with the water management systems is that half of the state’s canal water flows into Rajasthan, a neighboring state. Punjabi government has not been able to find a solution to this issue and farmers remain without access to canal water.

Another major issue contributing to water shortages in Punjab is the pollution of surface water. There are four main polluted stretches of Punjabi rivers. These four rivers are Ghaggar, Beas, Kali Bein and Satluj. Many industries have been emptying toxic waste into Punjabi rivers, resulting in water that is unfit for human consumption and agricultural practices. The industrialization and urbanization of the state is unfortunately accompanied by the harmful discharge of waste and sewage into Punjab’s rivers.

Addressing the Issue

One project that has emerged to assist Punjab’s crisis is a World Bank-supported plan named Hydrology II. This project introduced new technologies and opened reservoir managers’ eyes to the status of the water availability situation. New systems monitor important parts of the hydro-meteorological cycle and utilize digital gauges and sensors to measure water levels.

The Punjab government launched the Paani Bachao Paisa Kamao Scheme in 2018 to incentivize farmers to conserve water and energy. As of now, about 300 farmers are enrolled in this program. These farmers receive cash incentives to save electricity, creating 6-25% in water savings. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) runs the scheme which the state government has encouraged.

Another project working to eradicate water shortages in Punjab is the Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project. This project, with funding approved in April 2021, is helping locals switch from using groundwater to surface water sources. The project focuses on two Punjabi cities, Amritsar and Ludhiana. It aims to finance water treatment plans, water pumping systems, transmission lines, etc. The predicted improvements in water supply should benefit more than 3 million people by 2026.

Looking Ahead

Solving water shortages in Punjab is essential to protect its economic stability, food security and the well-being of citizens. With agriculture as its backbone, this state’s future is dependent on water availability. Addressing this challenge will become increasingly urgent as groundwater levels continue to lower.

– Trisha Borde
Photo: Flickr