Groundwater Recharge Technologies.

Groundwater is declining at a very fast rate in the central plain region of Indian Punjab, comprising about 80% area of the state. Consequently, centrifugal pumps, which were earlier being used by farmers for pumping groundwater, are being replaced by costly submersible pumps. To control the declining water table situation, the groundwater aquifers need to be recharged to sustain agricultural production. Various groundwater recharge techniques, namely rooftop rain-water harvesting, recharge through surface runoff using tubewells, village ponds, surface drainage networks and optimal rainwater conservation in paddy fields. Various policy issues have been discussed for preventing overexploitation of groundwater aquifers to regulate and control groundwater development and management on a sustainable basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]