PSFFWC COMMISSIONED STUDY ON WATER RESOURCES AVAILABILITY AND RELATED ISSUES IN STATE

Chandigarh : The Punjab State Farmers' and Farm Workers' Commission (PSFFWC) has commissioned a comprehensive study on water resources availability and other water-related issues in Punjab from the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee. The findings of this report have been submitted to the Legislative Committee of 6 MLAs under the Chairmanship of Sh. Gurjit Singh Rana. This committee was constituted by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

The Committee has highly acknowledged this report and directed the Commission to further undertake an expanded study at the micro level using Carbon Dating and Isotope technologies along with measuring seepage patterns.

The Punjab State Farmers' and Farm Workers' Commission (PSFFWC) convened a high-level meeting today with 15 agenda points, bringing together leading water experts and scientists. Chaired by Prof. Dr. Sukhpal Singh, Chairman of PSFFWC, the meeting included Dr. Pushpendra Pal Singh, Dean (CAPS), IIT Ropar, Dr. Sarbjot Kaur, Leading Scientist on Radioactive Tools, IIT Ropar, Dr. Harshad Kulkarni, Assistant Professor, IIT Mandi

Dr. Ranjeet K. Jha, IIT Mandi, Dr. Gopal Krishan, Scientist-E, National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee. The meeting was organized by Dr. Ranjodh S. Bains, Administrative Officer-cum-Secretary of the Commission. Dr. Gurkanwal Singh, former Director of the Department of Horticulture, also shared his expert opinion on the challenges being faced by the state.

During the meeting, the experts emphasized the need for urgent interventions, including Advanced isotopic studies and carbon dating to map Punjab's depleting groundwater resources, Heliborne surveys to identify ancient paleo-channels for enhancing recharge, A focused strategy to address South-West Punjab's severe waterlogging and salinity issues, Feasibility studies for a reservoir on the Ujh River (with an estimated capacity of 5 BCM) to augment water supply in Central Punjab, Scientific characterization of aquifers to determine sustainable extraction limits, Exploration of innovative solutions such as heavy metal-absorbing plant species and salt-tolerant bamboo plantations, Revival of traditional water bodies and abandoned wells for groundwater recharge, Strategies to make Punjab's agriculture more resilient to floods and extreme weather events. The experts acknowledged the pivotal role being played by the Punjab State Farmers' and Farm Workers' Commission in addressing critical challenges facing the agricultural sector.

Dr. R.S. Bains stated that the recommendations from the day's deliberations would serve as the foundation for a state-wide water conservation mission to be implemented in collaboration with leading research institutions. Dr. Sukhpal Singh stressed for the need for groundbreaking research to address the state's water crisis and expressed confidence that the distinguished scientists present would make significant contributions in collaboration with the PSFC.

In a key outcome of the meeting, all leading research institutes unanimously gave in-principle approval to collaborate closely with PSFC. It was also decided that a Consortium MoU would be signed immediately between IIT Ropar, IIT Mandi, NIH, and the Punjab State Farmers' and Farm Workers' Commission to undertake a comprehensive 15-point, state-level project focused on sustaining, conserving and preventing contamination of Punjab's groundwater.

This joint initiative aims to bring together the scientific and technical expertise of leading research institutions with the policy and implementation capacity of the Commission. The project will address the pressing challenges of groundwater depletion and pollution by combining advanced research, field-level interventions and strategic planning. It will include both immediate measures and long-term strategies to ensure water security for agriculture and safe drinking water across the state.

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