Context: In this we discuss how Punjab and Haryana are switching to sustainable cropping techniques to preserve groundwater.

• Groundwater levels in both states have been on a rapid decline. 
• According to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), it decreased by about 85 percent in Punjab between 1984 and 2016.
• Haryana’s groundwater depletion rate is among the highest in the country.
• In Punjab and Haryana, the sown area shifted to other less water-intensive crops in recent years.
• Parts of the states have moved to alternative sowing methods and away from water-intensive crops this Kharif season.

Efforts Taken

• Punjab brought 600,000 hectares under direct-seeded rice (DSR), an alternative for the traditional, water-intensive method of sowing rice. 
• Haryana has also been promoting DSR and the state government announced to give Rs 5,000 per acre to farmers opting for this technology. 

Significance of DSR

• It can help reduce water consumption by as much as 35 percent over the traditional process of transplanting rice seedlings from a nursery to waterlogged fields. 
• It is also the second year for Haryana's ‘Mera Pani Meri Virasat’ scheme, under which an incentive of Rs 7,000 is being given to farmers to switch from paddy. 
• For this scheme, the government is specifically targeting eight paddy-rich blocks where the groundwater levels have dropped below 40 metres. 

Causes of Groundwater Depletion

Frequent Pumping: Groundwater depletion most commonly occurs because of the frequent pumping of water from the ground. 

• It leads to a dangerous shortage in the groundwater supply. 

Aquifers are insufficient: While aquifers hold enough water, it doesn’t have the ability to recollect quickly enough to be continually sourced for our use.

Requirements in Agriculture: Agricultural needs require a large amount of groundwater, but the availability of groundwater is steadily declining.

• It is becoming extremely difficult to provide drinking water and water for crops and animals.

Natural depletion: Groundwater depletion can also occur naturally. The activities that lead to groundwater depletion come mostly from humans, but a portion of it also comes from climate change.

Impact of Groundwater Depletion

• Lesser water available at deeper levels: Groundwater depletion will force us to pump water from deeper within the Earth. Consequently, there will be a need to use even more resources to develop alternative methods to reach further into the ground.
• Affecting Freshwater Supply: The groundwater is responsible for providing up to 40% of freshwater in the world. The depletion will affect the Earth’s freshwater supply.
• Water content in large bodies will start to reduce: Large bodies of water will become more shallow from groundwater depletion. This means that over time, less water will enter as the existing surface water continues to evaporate. 
• Saltwater Contamination & Price Rise:  When freshwater mixes with saltwater, it is called saltwater contamination. This could raise the prices of drinking water for everyone because it will cost much more to pump and filter.
• Food supply will suffer: As large aquifers are depleted, food supply and people will suffer.  
• Biodiversity will be affected: A lack of groundwater limits biodiversity and dangerous sinkholes result from depleted aquifers. As the water becomes less deep, it will affect everything in that particular region, including fish and wildlife.

Suggestion
Drip Irrigation

• Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to a plant’s roots, reducing the evaporation that happens with spray watering systems. 
• Properly installed drip irrigation can save up to 80 percent more water than conventional irrigation, and can even contribute to increased crop yields.

Capturing and Storing Water

• Many farms rely on municipal water or wells (groundwater), while some have built their own ponds to capture and store rainfall for use throughout the year. 
• Properly managed ponds can also create habitat for local wildlife. Marin Roots Farm relies on two ponds for all of their water needs, helping to minimize their impact on the surrounding watershed. 

Irrigation Scheduling 

• To avoid under- or overwatering their crops, farmers carefully monitor the weather forecast, as well as soil and plant moisture, and adapt their irrigation schedule to the current conditions. 
• Timers can be used to schedule watering for the cooler parts of the day, further reducing water loss. 

Drought-Tolerant Crops

• Growing crops that are appropriate to the region’s climate is another way that farmers are getting more crop per drop. 
• Crop species that are native to arid regions are naturally drought-tolerant, while other crop varieties have been selected over time for their low water needs. 

Dry Farming

• Relying on soil moisture to produce their crops during the dry season. 
• Special tilling practices and careful attention to microclimates are essential.  
• Wine grapes, olives, potatoes, and apple trees can also be successfully dry farmed in California.

Rotational Grazing

• It is a process in which livestock are moved between fields to help promote pasture regrowth. 
• Good grazing management increases the fields’ water absorption and decreases water runoff, making pastures more drought-resistant. 
• Increased soil organic matter and better forage cover are also water-saving benefits of rotational grazing. 

Compost and Mulch

• Compost, or decomposed organic matter used as fertilizer, has been found to improve soil structure, increasing its water-holding capacity.  
• Farmers may also use black plastic mulch as a soil cover to suppress weeds and reduce evaporation.

Cover Crops

• Planted to protect soil that would otherwise go bare, cover crops, reduce weeds, increase soil fertility and organic matter, and help prevent erosion and compaction. 
• This allows water to more easily penetrate the soil and improves its water-holding capacity. 

Conservation Tillage

• It uses specialized plows or other implements that partially till the soil but leave at least 30 percent of vegetative crop residue on the surface. Like the use of cover crops, such practices help increase water absorption and reduce evaporation, erosion, and compaction. 
• Going Organic: In addition to keeping many of the more toxic pesticides out of our waterways, organic methods could help retain soil moisture. Healthy soil that is rich in organic matter and microbial life serves as a sponge that delivers moisture to plants.
• Use less water for luxury purposes: Considering the impending crisis of a mass water shortage, everyone should do their part to use less water whenever possible.
• Reduce chemical use: The water from businesses and private residences that run into the streets and sewage systems are commonly laden with chemicals.  Reduce use of chemicals and dispose of them properly.
• Investment in R&D: More comprehensive research and additional funding can help with groundwater depletion. Understandably, more funding should be granted towards researching our groundwater supply instead of just pumping the water.
• Strict Laws: Laws that are in place for the pumping of groundwater should be more strict and follow specific regulations.

Find alternative sources of water

• One of the most effective ways to address the issue of groundwater depletion is to find alternative sources of water. 
• Alternative water sources can be used to help replenish aquifers. 
• Deriving water from other sources would also give aquifers time to refill instead of pumping too much water from them at once.
• Regulated pumping: The pumping of groundwater should be regulated. If we don’t have a better understanding of our groundwater supply, then we can easily use much more than we should.