Why is groundwater falling rapidly in Punjab and Haryana?

Intensive irrigation for water-hungry crops such as rice and sugarcane draws far more water from tube wells than the rain can replace, and electricity for pumping is heavily subsidised so there is little reason to economise. Canal seepage and rainfall recharge cannot keep pace with the withdrawal.

No citable source has been recorded for this record. Treat it as practice material, not as fact.

Explanation

Growing less water-intensive crops and charging for power are the usual remedies proposed.