This story is from June 16, 2019

How Punjab dug itself into a hole by abandoning borewells

How Punjab dug itself into a hole by abandoning borewells
With water level sinking to deeper than 500-foot, borewells are being abandoned. As the recent case of two-year-old Fatehvir Singh proved, these are disasters waiting to happen.
The water level dropped to over 150 feet deep from only 40 feet about two decades ago. Now the situation is even worse. One can dig up to 500 feet and not get water. Naturally, borewells of 300 or even 400 feet deep had to be abandoned.
Many such borewells are left uncovered. It needs only Rs 80 to cover a 9-inch borewell with a plastic end cup. It is ironical that a farmer who spends as much as Rs 2 lakh in digging a borewell, should think twice to spend less than Rs 100 to ensure safety.
According to agriculture department, there are nearly 14.35 lakh borewells in Punjab. Of these, close to 1 lakh are abandoned, though there is no exact data with the department. Many are uncovered inviting trouble.
Borewells began with the advent of Green Revolution, but it is only in 1997-98 that the pace picked up in Punjab and submersible pumps had started replacing the monobloc motors for drawing underground water in abundance. Till 1996-97, farmers used to dig up 35-40 feet full-fledged well with provision to go down through iron steps. At the bottom of the wells, 6-inch monobloc motors were installed to draw water from nearly 150 feet deep. With the water level going down, well’s depth sunk further to 50-60 feet. But when it went deeper, the farmers abandoned wells and monobloc motors gave way to 9-inch submersible pumps that could reach as deep as 300 feet. In 2007-08, the water level being used for crops further went down to 400 feet and in 2015-16, it touched 500 feet, according to an agriculture department official.
"Now, 11-inch borewells have started replacing the 9-inch ones," said Barnala-based trader Rajiv Kumar, who is into borewell business for over two decades. To dig up a 9-inch borewell, one needed 20 feet long 23 plastic pipes of 9" diametre, another 40 feet delivery, which approximately cost Rs 2 lakh, including motor and electricity cable and labour incurred on digging. With 11-inch borewells, the cost is further increasing by Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000, he said.

"The Punjab farmers depend on paddy crop, causing the water level to sink further. Not giving up, the farmers dig further. They must realize that this is harmful for the mankind in the long run," said Punjab agriculture secretary Kahan Singh Pannu. He said the farmers should restrain themselves from playing with the natural resources in such merciless manner — which ultimately will not benefit anyone — and should think about growing crops that need less water.
To establish a borewell, one must seek permission from the authorities at least 15 days before. The authorities test the soil health, topography of the area through soil conservation department where the borewell is to be dug up before giving permission, said district development and panchayat officer Arun Kumar.
author
About the Author
Neel Kamal

Neel Kamal writes about sustainable agriculture, environment, climate change for The Times of India. His incisive and comprehensive reporting about over a year-long farmers' struggle against farm laws at the borders of the national capital won laurels. He is an alumunus of Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA