This section on water from the Punjab State of the Environment Report has been presented in the attachment. In addition to the actions being taken up by the state for conservation of water resources and preservation of its quality, the following additions are recommended in the report–

Water Conservation

• A river basin based conservation plan needs to be prepared to ensure minimum flow of water in rivers even in lean summer months.
• The existing wheat-rice cropping pattern in the state needs to be changed and farmers should be encouraged to revert to farming of legumes and other less water intensive crops.
• Drip and sprinkler irrigation need to be promoted.
• Integrated management plans for conservation of rivers and wetlands need to be prepared with short and long term objectives.
• Water harvesting needs to be promoted actively.
• Watershed management projects need to be taken up in additional areas especially in the Kandi belt.
• A national water pricing also needs to be defined for industrial, agricultural and domestic sectors.
• Artificial ground water recharging may be promoted in dark blocks.
• Technologies like zero tillage and bed planting which help conserve soil moisture and reduce requirement of irrigation need to be promoted.

Preservation of water quality

• Load based standards be prescribed instead of concentration based standards to reduce total pollutant load.
• Water quality monitoring network be further strengthened, and wherever possible public be involved in local water quality monitoring.
• Wastewater recycling, both in the industrial and domestic sector be promoted and incentives be provided for reduction in water use in industry.
• Low waste and no waste technologies be promoted in water polluting industry.
• For small scale industries CETPs should be promoted at industrial areas and focal points. These would only be successful if they are adequately managed on a user charge basis.
• Low cost sewerage treatment facilities be promoted in rural areas.

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