Water level now at an all-time low: UN

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 22

The United Nations estimated report on World Water Day has revealed shocking results. It says, that 2.1 billion people, or 28% of the global population lacks access to safe water and the number is likely to increase with climate change, global conflicts and drying up of water resources.

In the context of district’s water level, the picture is equally grim. There are a total ten blocks in Jalandhar and all have been declared as the dark zones due to over exploitation of water resources.

Reportedly, the acqua reservoir ground water layer has gone to 3rd layer, which is also the 2nd last layer of ground water. Jaswinder Singh, the agricultural development officer said, the early sowing of paddy crop in the beginning of the month of April is also responsible for depletion of ground water level. In this regard, farmers have been guided and told not to sow paddy crops before 10th June.

Lakhbir Singh who is running an NGO in the city and has been actively involved in organising various seminars on preserving water said, in Jalandhar the water at the 2nd aqua layer of ground water is almost polluted. Therefore, water is soaked up from the 3rd layer.

He further said, “In the recent water commission meeting it was reported that Punjab is slowly turning into a desert state due to scarcity of water. And our city is on third spot.

Therefore, strict water conservation measures need to be adopted not only at individual level but also at governmental level. Municipal corporation must look at better water conservation and rain harvesting technologies to save more and more water.