Groundwater extraction stage reaches 136% in Haryana, 164% in Punjab

The Stage of Groundwater Extraction (SoE) in Haryana has reached 135.74%, indicating that more groundwater is being extracted than what should be sustainably utilised. The situation in Punjab is even more concerning, with an SoE of 163.76%.

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In Haryana, the annual groundwater recharge is 9.55 billion cubic metres (bcm), while the annual extractable groundwater is 8.69 bcm. However, the total groundwater extraction in 2023 was 11.8 bcm.

According to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Punjab’s annual groundwater recharge stands at 18.84 bcm, with 16.98 bcm being extractable annually. Yet, the total groundwater extraction in 2023 was 27.8 bcm.

The annual extractable groundwater is calculated by subtracting the total annual natural discharge from the total annual groundwater recharge.

In Rajasthan, the SoE is 148.77%, as the total groundwater extraction in 2023 was 16.74 bcm, against an annual recharge of 12.45 bcm and an annual extractable groundwater volume of 11.25 bcm.

For 2023, the SoE across the country was assessed at 59.26%.

These figures were shared in the Rajya Sabha on December 2 in response to a query by Punjab AAP MP Sant Balbir Singh.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) has urged states to reassess their policies on providing free or subsidised electricity to farmers, introduce appropriate water pricing mechanisms, and adopt measures like crop rotation, diversification, and other initiatives to reduce over-reliance on groundwater.

The Centre has been implementing the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) since 2019 as a mission-driven, time-bound programme focused on rainwater harvesting and water conservation activities. The Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2024 is currently being rolled out with emphasis on 151 water-stressed districts across the country.

In response to another query on groundwater depletion, raised by Congress MP Mukul Wasnik, the MoJS informed the Rajya Sabha that Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh had a “significant percentage” of observation wells, showing water levels greater than 20 metres below ground level (mbgl), indicating a decline in groundwater levels.

During the post-monsoon period of 2023, data from Haryana revealed that of 985 observation wells, 149 (15.1%) recorded water levels deeper than 40 mbgl, while 253 wells (25.7%) reported water levels in the 20-30 mbgl range.

In Punjab, of 283 observation wells, 19 (6.7%) had water levels deeper than 40 mbgl, while 81 (28.6%) had levels in the 20-40 mbgl range.

Rajasthan has 1,061 observation wells, of which 240 (22.6%) showed levels deeper than 40 mbgl, and 194 (18.3%) recorded levels in the 20-40 mbgl range.

In Chandigarh, of 14 observation wells, one (7.1%) had levels deeper than 40 mbgl, and four (28.6%) reported levels in the 20-40 mbgl range.