Punjab’s groundwater depth varies across districts despite drop in over‑exploited blocks

The Indian Express reports that a new assessment of Punjab’s aquifers reveals a patchwork of groundwater depths across the state. While the overall count of blocks classified as over‑exploited has fallen, the water table in many areas remains significantly deeper than in others.
State water authorities attribute the mixed picture to variations in irrigation practices, crop patterns and local recharge rates. In districts where farmers have shifted to less water‑intensive crops, the water table has shown modest recovery, whereas regions still dominated by water‑heavy paddy cultivation continue to experience deeper draws.
Officials caution that the reduction in over‑exploited blocks does not automatically translate into uniform groundwater improvement. Continuous monitoring and targeted water‑conservation measures are deemed essential to sustain any gains.
The report underscores the need for district‑level interventions rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all approach, urging policymakers to align water‑saving incentives with local hydro‑geological conditions.