De-gradation of Water Resources and Agricultural Development in Punjab

The study has analyzed the emerging stress on water resources due to the shift in cropping pattern in Punjab. The study is based on the secondary data collected from various published sources. The results have revealed that annual population growth rate in Punjab has declined during the previous decade but foodgrain production and cropping intensity have shown increasing trends. Due to assured prices and public procurement, area under paddy, a non-traditional crop in Punjab, has increased. The rice-wheat cropping system has adversely affected water and land resources. Over-exploitation of groundwater has resulted in a sharp decline in the groundwater table in the state. The water deficit of 3.65 million hectare metres is met through over-exploitation of groundwater resources. Consequently, 75 per cent of total blocks of the state have become over-exploited in water-use. The study has suggested strict implementation of ‘Punjab Preservation of Sub Soil Water Act’ along with evolving a policy discouraging mono-culture and adopting diversification in the state.