Chandigarh, June 20: For the first time in the state’s history, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann approved a 14-point action plan. This plan is part of the Integrated State Water Plan. It aims to preserve and replenish groundwater in the state.

115 Blocks Overused: CM Chairs Meet on State Water Crisis

Chairing a meeting of the Water Resources department pertaining to Integrated State Water Plan, the Chief Minister said that the plan has been meticulously prepared by the Water Resources department of the state in consultation with all the eminent departments. He said that the situation in the state is already alarming as 115 blocks of the state out of total 153 are over exploited in terms of groundwater extraction. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the plan focuses on saving the groundwater and enhancing the usage of canal water for various motives. The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the annual Average of the lowering of water level by 0.7 meter due to extraction of 5.2 Billion Cubic Metre water. He said that it can be done by reducing the Ground Water Demand. Agricultural Water Demand should also be decreased. Improving the Techniques of Irrigation is important. Additionally, Replenishing the Groundwater and artificially augmenting the groundwater will help. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that efforts must focus on finding other sustainable sources. Deep aquifer exploration is necessary. Promoting the use of surface water is also important.

integrated State water plan; Bhagwant Mann Launches Drive to Modernize Irrigation

The Chief Minister further added that the government has already worked extensively on restoring and expanding the existing surface water infrastructure. He reiterated that the government is duty bound to give water to every tail end user. Working on this principle, the government has already restored 17,000 water courses with an approximate length of about 6,300 KM. These courses had been abandoned for 30 to 40 years. Additionally, 79 canals, covering 545 km, have been restored after 30 to 40 years of abandonment. Bhagwant Singh Mann also gave nod for a 14 point action plan as a part of Integrated State Water Plan which includes Effective Irrigation plan for Optimum use of water in the field. The Chief Minister said that the plan should aim to bring around 15,79,379 hectares area under various water efficient techniques. These include drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and others instead of conventional irrigation methods. This is to reduce the net water demand and wastage of water by increasing efficiency. Similarly, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that first preference should be given where a working head is available. He suggested proposing a pipeline instead of an open water course. He also stated that the plan will focus on restoring canal water courses. This will ensure judicious, equitable, and sustainable utilisation of surface water.

Mann Pushes for Surface Water Use, Irrigation Reforms

The Chief Minister advocated for effective utilisation of surface water. He said that as per plan, excess available water will be distributed. It will be taken from the canal and its distributaries directly to ponds adjacent to the canal and distributaries. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that water from the pond will go to the fields. It will be taken through a lift irrigation system. This will increase the area under surface irrigation. He added that construction of check dams and new ponds will be done. He batted for participatory irrigation management by constituting Water User Associations for developing a self-sustainable water ecosystem. The Chief Minister said that these associations will monitor the water management and issues of farmers relating to water distribution by direct involvement of user’s i.e. farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that this will benefit Canal cleaning and avoid wastage of water. It will also help in the maintenance of the canal and water courses. He also said that canal water will be supplied to industries. Potential users will be identified. This will reduce pressure on ground water. In order to understand Punjab’s deep groundwater system, the Chief Minister also laid stress on Deep ground water study.  Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the actual situation of ground water in Punjab is not known. There is a gap between recharge and consumption. He added that studying this gap will help in determining sustainability and future policy decisions. He said the plan will focus on the basin management plan. Punjab has different land areas with varied land characteristics.

Punjab Plans Basin-Based Water Management Strategy

The Chief Minister said that while Southwest Punjab has a water logging problem, Kandi area has its own issue. The groundwater is very deep. Because of this, a single plan cannot be made for the entire state. It has to be formulated in parts, which are called basins. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as per plan, Punjab will be divided into different catchment areas. This division will regulate water flow, control soil erosion, and retain essential nutrients. He said that focus will also be on identifying Aquifer Characteristics and Topography. He added that Rainfall and runoff data will be identified in low lying areas under catchment. The Chief Minister further said that the plan will also give a push to effectively address the critical areas for minimizing flood damages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that under the plan, research and studies for flood modeling and mapping will be made. Flood plain zoning and public participation will be included. He added that works like bamboo plantation, vetiver grass, source control, check dam, and bundh construction have also been proposed in the plan. He also said that the plan aims to store the flood water of Ghaggar. It will be used for agriculture by constructing check dams. These will be built by identifying choke points/Drain points in Ghaggar, where it receives major flow into it.

Mann Announces Plan for Treated Water Use and Canal Recharge

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that water from check dams will be diverted into the already existing ponds in blocks. The waste water will be treated through treatment plants and nano bubble technology. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the treated water will thereafter be taken to the agricultural fields through a lift irrigation system using solar powered pumps and underground pipeline system. He further said that the plan envisages Private sector participation in water management under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of companies Act 2013 to reduce the financial burden of the government. The Chief Minister said that CSR activities will be promoted for setting up of sewerage treatment plant, Water conservation structure and Promoting micro irrigation system. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that plan also aims to make community aware under water conservation by different education and awareness programs about the importance of water resources through Primary Education and Youth Involvement, Community Engagement, Involving farmers, NGOs and Industries, Training Programs, Media, Internet/ Social Media and other eminent people. He further said that the plan also stipulates optimum utilization of canal water in low demand periods by constructing ground water recharging structures at the tail ends of canals especially Distributory/ Minor/Sub-Minor.

Punjab Plans Crop Diversification to Save Water

The Chief Minister said that diversification of area from Paddy (Parmal) to maize, cotton, Basmati and other potential crops and water guzzling varieties of paddy is also a part of plan. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the plan focuses on Reduction in ground water demand for agriculture use. He said that every single drop of the water is precious for the state and the Punjab government will make every effort to preserve it. On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh and others were also present.