Chief Conservator of Soils, Punjab, Anil Kumar Sondhi, gave a detailed presentation on the state of natural resources as well as the past and present soil and water conservation activities of the department. He proposed a comprehensive strategic plan required to be implemented in the next 10 years to conserve and manage resources in Punjab.

Director of Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI), Dehradun, Dr V N Sharda, pointed out that the agriculture production and productivity were directly related to soil fertility and availability of irrigation water.

“Punjab achieved the highest productivity at the cost of natural resources like land, water and environment. The groundwater table in Punjab is dropping at an alarming rate and this situation has arisen because of pumping out underground water more than the natural recharge,” he said.