Toxic waters
PUNJAB and Haryana are facing an escalating groundwater crisis, with toxic contamination, reckless extraction and poor water management pushing the region towards disaster. The situation demands urgent intervention before irreversible damage threatens public health, agriculture and the environment. The latest Central Ground Water Board report exposes alarming levels of uranium, nitrates, arsenic and fluoride in groundwater in both states. In Punjab, uranium contamination has spread to 20 districts, while 16 in Haryana exceed safe limits. The excessive use of phosphate fertilisers, along with aggressive groundwater extraction, has worsened the crisis. Prolonged exposure to uranium-laced water can cause kidney toxicity and urinary tract cancers, yet the response remains sluggish.
Punjab’s worsening water crisis is exacerbated by its unsustainable agricultural practices. A 2019 study warned that groundwater at 100 m would be exhausted within a decade. Five years later, farmers are still forced to rely on borewells due to the government’s failure to promote crop diversification. Paddy farming, which guzzles thousands of litres per kilogram, continues to drain reserves, pushing the state toward desertification. Adding to the crisis is Punjab’s mismanagement of wastewater. Instead of investing in sewage treatment plants, authorities have resorted to deepening village ponds to contain sewage overflow. This reckless practice contaminates sub-soil water, posing a severe health hazard. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rightfully questioned the legality and environmental impact of such measures.
Amid this bleak scenario, Haryana’s commitment to the Aravalli Green Wall Project offers a ray of hope. If implemented effectively, afforestation, groundwater recharge and soil conservation efforts could help combat desertification. However, promises must translate into concrete action. The region’s water crisis can no longer be ignored. Governments must enforce stricter regulations, curb over-extraction and invest in sustainable solutions before North India’s most vital resource runs out.
