Groundwater crisis : A sense of urgency is missing
The Tribune Editorial : Continuing with the status quo threatens not only the state’s environmental stability, but also the long-term food security of the nation
Updated At : 07:05 AM Jul 23, 2026 IST
PUNJAB accounts for the highest groundwater extraction in the country. The Centre has identified 111 of the state’s 153 groundwater assessment blocks as over-exploited, reaffirming the grave crisis. Sangrur district stands out. Decades of large-scale, water-intensive paddy cultivation have accelerated groundwater depletion, and it now has the highest extraction level. Malerkotla and Jalandhar are not far behind. The report lists Ludhiana as having the largest number of over-exploited groundwater blocks, followed by Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Sangrur and Tarn Taran. The steep decline of the water table across most parts of Punjab, despite decades of stern warnings, exposes a critical gap in agricultural strategy.
