Question 14 Marks
A crisis has unfolded in the fertile plains of Punjab where groundwater resources have been severely depleted. Punjab was home to the Green Revolution that fed a large proportion of our population, and contributed to India becoming self-sufficient in food. Today the same state faces issues of sustainability. Nature has been exploited beyond regeneration, at least in the short term.
In the 1960s farmers shifted to high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice. These required more water than the traditional seeds, and farmers began to extract groundwater to meet this need. In addition, the supply of free power led to the over-pumping of groundwater. Modem farming techniques also required the use of pesticides and fertilisers.
The combined effect of these factors is that the groundwater level in a large part of Punjab (see map) has become inaccessible till depths of about 30 metres; and the chemicals from the pesticides and fertilisers have dissolved in the groundwater causing health hazards.
Almost 80% of the area of Punjab has been classified as ‘over-exploited’; in other words, we have drawn water at a rate much greater than at which restoration and rejuvenation of groundwater is possible. We can see that food security was ensured for the short term, but the long- term consequences will take time and effort to heal.
Q.1. What caused the depletion of groundwater in Punjab?
Q.2. What does ‘over-exploited’ mean in the context of Punjab’s groundwater, and how do the immediate and long-term effects of the Green Revolution differ?
In the 1960s farmers shifted to high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice. These required more water than the traditional seeds, and farmers began to extract groundwater to meet this need. In addition, the supply of free power led to the over-pumping of groundwater. Modem farming techniques also required the use of pesticides and fertilisers.
The combined effect of these factors is that the groundwater level in a large part of Punjab (see map) has become inaccessible till depths of about 30 metres; and the chemicals from the pesticides and fertilisers have dissolved in the groundwater causing health hazards.
Almost 80% of the area of Punjab has been classified as ‘over-exploited’; in other words, we have drawn water at a rate much greater than at which restoration and rejuvenation of groundwater is possible. We can see that food security was ensured for the short term, but the long- term consequences will take time and effort to heal.
Q.1. What caused the depletion of groundwater in Punjab?
Q.2. What does ‘over-exploited’ mean in the context of Punjab’s groundwater, and how do the immediate and long-term effects of the Green Revolution differ?
Answer
View full question & answer→1. The depletion was caused by the shift to high-yielding crops, over-pumping due to free electricity, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers.
2. ‘Over-exploited’ refers to the situation where groundwater is being used at a rate faster than it can naturally regenerate, resulting in depletion. While the Green Revolution initially led to increased food production and self sufficiency, its long-term effects include the depletion of groundwater, soil degradation, and contamination from the use of chemicals such’ as pesticides and fertilisers.
2. ‘Over-exploited’ refers to the situation where groundwater is being used at a rate faster than it can naturally regenerate, resulting in depletion. While the Green Revolution initially led to increased food production and self sufficiency, its long-term effects include the depletion of groundwater, soil degradation, and contamination from the use of chemicals such’ as pesticides and fertilisers.