In a bid to preserve the depleting ground water level in the state, the Punjab Water Resources Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria on Tuesday urged the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) to share technical expertise to augment state's efforts in this direction.Highlighting the various steps being taken towards promoting crop diversification, Mr Sarkaria asked President ICID, Engineer Felix Britz Reinders, who called upon him at Punjab Bhawan here to complement the state efforts to save this precious resource.Underlining the importance of diversification of crop pattern, Sarkaria emphasized that the paddy-wheat cycle had lowered the ground water level which was a main cause of concern.He further said that the state government is sensitizing the farmers to shun the paddy-wheat cultivation practice and adopt crop diversification to save the state to turn it into a desert.
Praising the farmers of the state, he said that their hard work has earned the Laurel to the state as a food bowl of the country.Mr. Sarkaria also asked the Principal Secretary Water Resources Mr. Sarvjit Singh to explore the modalities for further cooperation with ICID.Mr Felix Britz Reinders, who holds specialization in water resources management and irrigation engineering, including research, design and training, has suggested to adopt the micro irrigation systems like sprinkle and drip system to save ground water. He also assured to the Minister that all possible assistance and cooperation would be provided in this regard.Prominent among others present in the meeting were Principal Secretary Water Resources Department, Punjab Sarvjit Singh, CE Canals, Punjab J.S. Mann, Secretary, Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Tarun Aggarwal, A.B. Pandya besides senior officers of the state and BBMB.