Water usage in southwest Punjab challenges and opportunities

Abstract

This study examines the patterns, challenges, and opportunities related to water usage in southwest Punjab from 1966 to 2015, a period marked by major agricultural transformation following the Green Revolution. The rapid expansion of irrigation, particularly through canal systems and extensive groundwater extraction, significantly improved agricultural productivity but also created complex water management issues. The research identifies and analyses three major challenges: waterlogging, groundwater depletion, and water contamination. Waterlogging emerged as a consequence of excessive canal irrigation paired with a change in cropping pattern and poor drainage infrastructure, leading to reduced soil fertility and agricultural decline in affected areas. Groundwater depletion intensified due to over-extraction of water for high-yield crop cultivation, threatening long-term water security and increasing farmer vulnerability. Water contamination, linked to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, and natural mineral intrusion, further compromised drinking water quality and public health. Relying primarily on diverse primary sources as well as vast secondary literature, this thesis presents a comprehensive understanding of the evolving intense water situation in the region. In addition to highlighting the concern about serious challenges of water usage, the research explores emerging opportunities through improved water management practices, technological interventions, policy reforms, and community based initiatives. The thesis emphasises the need for sustainable strategies to restore ecological balance, protect water resources, and support agricultural and socio-economic stability in southwest Punjab. newline