Choose less water-intensive crops

Apropos of ‘Groundwater crisis’; Punjab and Haryana are facing a looming water crisis due to decades of over-extraction for irrigation, inefficient water management and a lack of awareness about sustainable practices. The consequences of ignoring this crisis are dire — depletion of aquifers, reduced agricultural output and a potential collapse of rural livelihoods. Steps such as encouraging farmers to adopt less water-intensive crops, promoting micro-irrigation techniques and incentivising rainwater harvesting systems must be undertaken. Governments must ensure stricter implementation of groundwater regulations.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Create awareness among masses

Apropos of ‘Groundwater crisis’; water depletion has reached alarming proportions due to scanty rainfall, sustained groundwater pumping to meet the growing population’s needs, urbanisation, pollution, destruction of vegetation and deforestation. From time to time, experts have been giving suggestions to the governments to check the callous misuse of groundwater in agricultural, industrial and domestic sectors, but to no avail. Micro-irrigation, diversification of farming, curbing wastage of water for industrial and domestic use and spreading public awareness about judicious harvesting and conservation of this precious natural resource are a must to avoid the adverse effects of the depletion of groundwater on the environment and the people.

DS Kang, Hoshiarpur

Choose rainwater harvesting

Refer to ‘Groundwater crisis’, the depletion in the groundwater levels is a matter of concern for agriculturalists amid over-extraction for paddy farming. Sustainable agriculture practices like drip irrigation, crop rotation and agroforestry can lead to water-efficient practices. Moreover, efficient irrigation technologies, using supplemental irrigation through canals is imperative for groundwater conservation. To curb overexploitation, a rational power supply scheme can be fruitful. Furthermore, rainwater harvesting should be implemented to prevent water loss.

Arpita Anand, Chandigarh

BJP reoriented its strategy

With reference to ‘BJP all the way’; the saffron party’s emphatic win in Maharashtra indicates that it’s a force to reckon with. It also shows that the Modi-Shah duo’s magic is going from strength to strength. The BJP did not do very well in the Lok Sabha elections. However, it was quick to learn lessons, reoriented its electoral strategy and made targeted endeavours to record resounding wins in state elections. The committed cadres of the RSS also played a crucial role in the BJP’s triumphs. The win in Maharashtra holds great significance for the party that not only has a strategic edge over its opponents but also the knack to capitalise on their weaknesses.

Ravi Sharma, Dhariwal

New CM an asset to the party

Refer to ‘The importance of being Fadnavis’ (Trysts and Turns); the picture showing Devendra Fadnavis in the driver’s seat says it all. What he deserved has been restored to him. More than Eknath Shinde realising the truth about his depleted bargaining power, it was the humility and heft of Fadnavis that persuaded the former to be the new CM’s deputy for the good of the ruling coalition and Maharashtra. But he must be wary of the undercurrents as unlike him, former CMs have seldom reconciled to a junior role. In any case, the BJP can gainfully invest in him in the long run.

Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula

Focus diverted from real issues

Apropos of “Politics behind ‘redress’ of waqf property rows”; the resolution of waqf property disputes, often entangled with religious and cultural sensitivities, has become a focal point in the contemporary political discourse. Claims about temples beneath historic mosques and shrines are not new but have gained momentum in recent years. Historically, India has been home to diverse cultures and religions, where shared spaces evolved through centuries of coexistence. This politicisation diverts focus from the actual issues of preserving heritage and upholding legal and constitutional principles.

Mahima Kwatra, Delhi