Thursday, June 14, 2012

Punjab to frame policy to check decreasing water table


by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14
          The Punjab Government, in principle, has framed a comprehensive plan to check the ever decreasing water table and contamination of natural water resources. Under this plan various department would closely coordinate for framing a joint policy. Department of Irrigation, Education, Local Bodies, Agriculture, Industries and Pollution Control Board etc., would jointly strive to preserve the natural water resources, to check the contamination of water and to sensitize farmers about the judicious use of ground water. Education department has been requested to introduce courses in school curriculum to educate the new generation about the importance of water and its astute use.
          It was disclosed by Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation. He said that the situation in Punjab has come to a alarming stage, because the water table in state was decreasing day by day. He said that out of 130 Blocks 100 Blocks has been enlisted in the Dark Zone. Rich uranium contents were present in the sub-soil water of most Blocks of Malwa region, which rendered the ground water unfit for human consumption. He said that the Punjab Government, in order to deal with this grim scenario has decided to make a joint task force including various departments. These departments would jointly frame a policy for effective implementation for rain water harvesting, preservation of natural water resources, judicious use of underground, canal and river water for irrigation and to check the contamination of water by industrial units. Besides this, the irrigation has decided to conduct weekly awareness camps at the district level to educate the farmers and general public about the scarcity of water and its rational and judicious use.
          He said that the farmer of Punjab was in the grip of two crop (wheat and paddy) vicious cycle. He said that in the absence of suitable marketing infrastructure by the Centre Government, the farmer of Punjab was reluctant to adopt crop diversification. Divulging the facts, Mr. Thandal said that 5500 liter water was consumed for having 1kg rice.

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