Catching the rain

The relentless depletion of groundwater in Punjab and Haryana has reached alarming levels. Years of unchecked extraction, intensive irrigation for water-guzzling crops and inadequate conservation measures have left the water table in a free fall. The launch of Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2025 from Haryana on World Water Day underscores the urgency of reversing this crisis. While symbolic initiatives are welcome, firm and sustained policies are needed to integrate rainwater harvesting into its water management strategy.

Punjab and Haryana have seen groundwater levels plummet due to over-reliance on borewells and canal irrigation. Studies indicate that wells in some parts of the region are witnessing an annual water table decline of over a metre, with desertification looming. Yet, rainwater harvesting adoption remains sluggish. It is plagued by financial constraints, bureaucratic red tape and a lack of awareness. Regulatory hurdles, complex approval processes and inconsistent enforcement of rainwater harvesting mandates further deter its widespread implementation.

To combat this, Haryana’s Mukhyamantri Jal Sanchay Yojana and initiatives like the Integrated Water Resource Action Plan (2025-27) must go beyond tokenism. A clear roadmap, backed by financial incentives and technological innovation, is crucial. Property tax rebates for households implementing rainwater harvesting, as seen in Indore, should be replicated across north India. Additionally, urban planning must integrate rainwater harvesting into building codes, ensuring that new developments contribute to groundwater recharge. Rural outreach is equally vital. Equip farmers with knowledge of efficient irrigation techniques to reduce their dependence on groundwater. Solar-powered micro-irrigation projects, as launched in Haryana, should be expanded to Punjab. Moreover, reviving traditional water bodies and desilting village ponds can aid in water retention and percolation. Water scarcity is no longer a distant threat — it is a present crisis.