Water accounting of groundwater over-exploited districts in Haryana and Punjab states to analyse impacts of water conservation measures on water availability

ABSTRACT Escalating water scarcity threatens to sustainable food production, necessitating enhanced water use efficiency through effective water management practices. The present study aims to conduct water accounting in the groundwater-depleted districts of Haryana and Punjab, India, analysing the potential irrigation water savings achievable through the implementation of efficient management techniques in these selected districts. The study area encompasses Kaithal and Karnal districts in Haryana and Patiala and Sangrur districts in Punjab with water availability assessment for 2015. Results showed that there is a mismatch between the annual groundwater pumped and replenishable groundwater recharge in all selected districts indicating a need for improved water management. Adjusting the timing of rice sowing to align with the onset of the rainy season can significantly save water and reduce groundwater extraction. For instance, delaying rice transplanting from May 21st to June 15th can reduce crop water demand by 10.89%. Similarly, transplanting rice on June 15th can reduce water demand by 9.03%, 6.23%, 4.31%, and 2.46% compared to transplanting on May 26th, May 31st, June 5th, and June 10th, respectively. Shifting of a rice-wheat cropping system to a maize-wheat system can substantially decrease crop water demand. Replacing rice with maize can result in a 54.66% reduction in crop water demand per hectare.