Depleting groundwater sounds alarm: 10 blocks of Jalandhar in 'dark zone'

A report prepared by the agriculture department has pointed to alarmingly depleting groundwater level in the district, putting all the 10 blocks in "dark zone" where water recharging process is taking place at very slow rate.

A report prepared by the agriculture department has pointed to alarmingly depleting groundwater level in the district, putting all the 10 blocks in "dark zone" where water recharging process is taking place at very slow rate.

HT Image

This, experts suggest, is due to solid soil layer in the earth and use of traditional farming techniques. According to the report (a copy of which is with HT) the water table is depleting at a rate of 0.5-1 metre every year, thus posing a serious threat to groundwater levels.

The report has sounded alarm for the agriculture department which has now decided to run a campaign from Wednesday to start a campaign with two vans which will run for the next 20 days in all the blocks and will motivate farmers to use sub-soiler (chiesler) plough machine in their fields to remove the solid soil layer.

The solid soil layer, around six-inch thick, obstructs water going inside the earth as a result of which the process of water recharging is hampered.
The hydro-geological wing of agriculture department, which prepared the report, surveyed Adampur, Bhogpur, Goraya, Jalandhar East, Jalandhar West, Lohian, Nakodar, Nurmahal, Phillaur and Shahkot blocks before paddy season and normal period of year.

In Phillaur block, the survey was conducted at three wells by the wing at Phillaur, Lasara and Akalpur. During the normal season, groundwater was recorded at 16.20 ft, 16.35 ft and 17 ft and before paddy season it fell to 15.20 ft, 15.92 and 16.70 ft respectively.

In Gidderpindi village of Lohian block, the water table fell from 7.65 ft to 7.15 ft and it went down from 29.30 ft to 28.30 ft in Nakodar block. The level of groundwater fell down from 27.20 ft to 26.60 ft in Shahkot block.

In Adampur block, the water table went to 9.55 ft from 10.55 ft in Adampur while it fell to 8.45 ft from 9.10 ft in Alawalpur. While the groundwater level went down to 33 ft from 34.15 ft in Jalandhar East and it plunged to 25.60 ft from 26.60 ft in Jalandhar West.

Besides, the department is asking farmers to use alternative crops in place of sowing paddy which is another major reason behind depletion in groundwater level.

Swatantra Kumar Aeri, chief agriculture officer said, "The department has around 200 sub-soiler plough machines and farmers can avail them from 70 registered cooperative societies operating in the district."

With the use of these machines, the layer would be easily removed and rainwater can get deep inside the ground, he added.

Worrying report
The hydro-geological wing of agriculture department, which prepared the report, surveyed Adampur, Bhogpur, Goraya, Jalandhar East, Jalandhar West, Lohian, Nakodar,

Nurmahal, Phillaur and Shahkot blocks before paddy season and normal period of year

The report says the water table is depleting at a rate of 0.5-1 metre every year, thus posing a serious threat to groundwater levels

Experts suggest that water recharging process is taking place at a slow rate due to solid soil layer in the earth and use of traditional farming techniques