The district administration has decided to re-establish permanent water courses to check the day-by-day decline in groundwater levels. Along with this, farmers will be made aware to irrigate with canal water through these water courses. To make a plan in this regard, Deputy Commissioner Mr Kulwant Singh held a meeting with the concerned departments today.
Mr Ram Singh and Mrs Charumita (both SDM), President of Guru Sahib Charitable Society Moga Baba Gurmeet Singh and other officials were present in this meeting. The Deputy Commissioner said that Punjab, especially Moga district, is rapidly moving towards a serious water crisis.
If we continue to waste the groundwater like this, the day is not far when we will not even have enough water to meet our needs. Today, the situation is such that we have only 10-12 years of potable water under the ground.
Taking Moga out of the 'dark zone' by conserving groundwater is the main need of the hour. He said that the most important thing to save groundwater is to reduce the use of groundwater for agricultural purposes.
Farmers must use canal water for agriculture. But our canal water irrigation system is on the verge of extinction. To a large extent, farmers have incorporated water channels into their land.
As a result, canal water is not reaching the fields of needy farmers. That is why, on the order of the Punjab government, the district administration has decided to restore permanent water courses in district Moga.
They instructed the irrigation and canal departments to prepare and send a report regarding the actual length, infrastructure and other facts of the canals, distributaries, minors and water courses in district Moga so that the matter can be tabled at the government level.
He said that departmental action should be started from now for the cleaning and revival of the same. Revenue officials were instructed to complete the pending demarcation works.
He said that the district administration aims to motivate the farmers to irrigate their crops with canal water during the upcoming paddy season. Therefore, small gatherings of farmers will be held in their areas, fields and common places. Farmers will be made aware of the proper use of water.
Baba Gurmeet Singh assured that they will contribute more to this work. He said that it is the common responsibility of all of us to use underground water to save our tomorrow.