What is the news:-
Punjab tops country in over-exploitation of groundwater.
In Punjab, 79 per cent of the assessment units showed the annual groundwater extraction to be more than the assessed annual extractable groundwater resources.
 

Government Report by Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation:-
In Punjab, 79 per cent of the assessment units showed the annual groundwater extraction to be more than the assessed annual extractable groundwater resources, according to information placed by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in the ongoing session of the Rajya Sabha. This figure was 76 per cent last year.
 

Reason for Overexploitation:-
Irrigation accounts for over 96 per cent of groundwater use in Punjab.
A major reason for over-exploitation of groundwater is the largescale cultivation of paddy in Punjab, which is water-intensive and the dependence on groundwater over the canal or river water in many parts of the state.
Monsoon is an important factor in the recharge of groundwater. The rains in Punjab this season have been 10 per cent below the long period average so far.
From June 1 to September 14, the state received 391.3 mm against the normal of 437.2 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department.
According to a Central Ground Water Board(CGWB official), the wheat and paddy cropping pattern in Punjab has led to a manifold increase in demand for water.
About 90 per cent of the state’s area is underlain by quaternary alluvial deposits that are important sources of abundant and dependable groundwater supplies which are being exploited.