Groundwater depletion: Punjab school students from 54 villages warned of side effects

“Six decades ago, we were using around 58.41 per cent of canal water for irrigation and other purposes that has now reduced to 28 per cent. While in the same period, the use of groundwater through tube wells was only 54 per cent which has now increased to 92 per cent. ….This is indeed alarming and we need to wake up from the deep slumber,” Singh said.

As per the data of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, in the year 2019-20 around 14.76 lakh tube wells had been installed in the state. Sources revealed that there are many illegal tube wells as well. In the Rampura Phul constituency of Bathinda alone, more than 250 illegal tube wells were discovered a few months ago. “Hence one can imagine the quantum of illegal tube wells in the state,” said a PSPCL official on condition of anonymity.

Further Gurjeet Singh said that 109 zones of Punjab have been declared as dark zones by the central authority of groundwater. “If the matter is not taken seriously, no one can stop Punjab from turning into a barren land,” the officer said.

Avtar Singh, ziledar of Lehragaga, said that the administration is targeting youngsters to take the lead in saving water and raising groundwater level.

“Everytime, a person uses toilet, it flushes out 10 to 12 litres of water and 70 per cent of water is wasted when purification of water is done through reverse osmosis (RO) systems,” said Randeep Sangatpura, teacher of Siba International School, and added that at least people should utilise that 70 per cent coming out of ROs for washing, cleaning mopping, etc.

Gurjeet Singh said that they picked the school to reach out to a larger audience as children from different villages come to study there.

Kanwaljeet Singh Dhindsa , school principal, Nathu Ram, Patwari of the area and teachers were present among many others.