Cropping intensities in the Bari Doab region have increased from 60-70% to around 150-180% currently due to overexploitation of groundwater resources. Groundwater levels in the region rose steadily from 1910 to around 1970 at rates between 13.7 to 59.4 cm per year but have been falling since then at rates ranging from 14.3 to 35.1 cm annually, indicating depletion of groundwater reservoirs due to excessive pumping.

1. Cropping intensities increased from 60-70 to about 150-180% at present
Groundwater Reservoir Filling and Depletion in Bari Doab
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010
Groundwater
elevation
(m)
Years
CL_VIII/2
CL_VIII/4
CL_XII/4
CL_XVII/2
NPLX/15
NPLX/17
19.5
32.9
26.4
13.7
25.7
22.4
rise @ cm/yr
14.3
27.1
35.1
59.4
25.9
26.2
fall @ cm/yr
aveergae @31.4
average @ 23.5