Expert Notes
Published September 2, 2024 | Version 1
Book chapter Open

Assessment of Trends and Multi-Decadal Changes in Groundwater Level in Punjab: A Review

Creators

  • 1. Civil Engineering Department, PAU, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
  • 2. Civil Engineering Department, RIMT, Gobindgarh, Punjab, India
  • 3. Civil Engineering Department, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Haryana, India

Description

Abstract: With an approximate annual usage of 230 km3, India is the world's greatest user of groundwater. Over the past three decades, Punjab, which makes up only 1.57% of the overall geographical area, has contributed 27–40% rice, 55–65% wheat, and 18–25% cotton to the central pool. The use of groundwater for irrigation that is not sustainable is primarily to blame for the declining water levels. This essay explores the possible and detrimental effects of climate change on Punjab's groundwater resources while providing an overview of the state of groundwater issues at the moment. Therefore, in this study an attempt has been made to assess the problem of dwindling groundwater supplies and the variables accountable for this and recommend viable measures for arresting over-exploitation and for sustainable agriculture in Punjab. It is found that Groundwater potential can be increased by construction of ponds, wells and canals. Some policies were already made to prevent the over-use of groundwater such as, training and subsidies of drip, sprinkler irrigation; promoting of low water required crops and delayed paddy transplanting.

Keywords: Punjab, Groundwater, Monitoring, Depletion

Files

29.pdf

Files (344.1 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:920df8b6dfe2c6429e991045b4001ff5
344.1 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Dates

Accepted
2024-08-01
Accepted
Available
2024-09-02
Published

References

  • 1. Baweja, S., Aggarwal, R., Brar, M., & Lal, R. (2017). Groundwater depletion in Punjab, India. Encyclopedia of soil science, 2017, 1-5.
  • 2. Gautam, A., & Rai, S. C. (2023). Groundwater zoning and sustainable management strategies for groundwater resources in the Bist-Doab region of Punjab, India. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1-22.
  • 3. Krishan, G., Lohani, A. K., Rao, M. S., Kumar, C. P., & Takshi, K. S. (2016). Groundwater fluctuation and trend in Amritsar, Punjab, India. In Geostatistical and Geospatial Approaches for the Characterization of Natural Resources in the Environment: Challenges, Processes and Strategies (pp. 183-187). Springer International Publishing.
  • 4. Sahoo, S., Swain, S., Goswami, A., Sharma, R., & Pateriya, B. (2021). Assessment of trends and multi-decadal changes in groundwater level in parts of the Malwa region, Punjab, India. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 14, 100644.
  • 5. Sidhu, B. S., Sharda, R., & Singh, S. (2021). Spatio-temporal assessment of groundwater depletion in Punjab, India. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 12, 100498.
  • 6. Singh, A., Panda, S. N., Kumar, K. S., & Sharma, C. S. (2013). Artificial groundwater recharge zones mapping using remote sensing and GIS: a case study in Indian Punjab. Environmental management, 52, 61-71.
  • 7. Singh, C. K., Shashtri, S., & Mukherjee, S. (2011). Integrating multivariate statistical analysis with GIS for geochemical assessment of groundwater quality in Shiwaliks of Punjab, India. Environmental Earth Sciences, 62, 1387-1405.
  • 8. Singh, G., Batra, N., Salaria, A., Wani, O. A., & Singh, J. (2021). Groundwater quality assessment in Kapurthala district of central plain zone of Punjab using hydro-chemical characteristics. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 20 (1), 43-51.
  • 9. Singla, C., Aggarwal, R., & Kaur, S. (2022). Groundwater decline in Central Punjab-Is it a warning? Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 16, 100718.