Punjab's early paddy transplanting triggers groundwater crisis

Already reeling from a depleting groundwater table, Punjab is now staring at an unprecedented groundwater crisis, as the state's decision to advance paddy transplantation dates has triggered excessive water extraction—pushing its fragile ecology to the brink.

- NEERAJ MOHAN

Due to the longest dry spell recorded in June, the decision to advance paddy transplantation has resulted in excessive groundwater withdrawal, as farmers struggled to keep their crops alive. With little to no rainfall, farmers have been heavily dependent on groundwater and have resorted to diesel-powered pumps to meet irrigation needs.

According to rainfall data from the Indian Meteorological Department, half of Punjab has experienced "Large Deficient" or "Deficient" rainfall in June, with eight districts—Amritsar, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, and Mohali—classified as having Large Deficient rainfall. Three districts—Mansa, Muktsar, and Pathankot—were marked as Deficient for the period between June 1 and 19.

Even as paddy-sowing states were providing financial assistance to farmers for adopting the water-saving Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technique over the traditional puddling method, Punjab's decision to advance sowing was seen as a setback to water conservation efforts.