Punjab resolves to check groundwater depletion; Says ready to take all necessary administrative, legal steps.

Chandigarh, September 11: With a view to effectively check the fast depleting groundwater table in the state of Punjab, the state council of ministers on Tuesday resolved to take all necessary administrative and legal steps.

 

 

"The cabinet led by CM Amarinder Singh underlined the need to take proactive measures for canalisation of the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi to conserve the groundwater by ensuring its judicious utilization besides saving it from contamination", the statement in relation read.

Singh also stressed the importance of conserving groundwater for the future generations, warning that failure to do so would transform Punjab into an arid desert in the foreseeable future.

 

Pointing out that the groundwater level was depleting in about 85 per cent of the state, with an average yearly rate of fall of water level of about 50 cm, the CM expressed concern that 109 study blocks out of a total of 138 in the state were now under the over-exploited category, referring to the Dynamic Ground Water Estimation Report-2017 report. "The problem could be ignored only at Punjab's own peril", he warned.