Rupinder KaurAnkit2018-09-112018-09-112018http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810072750The study entitled ‘Perception and Awareness of farmers towards over-exploitation of groundwater and its management practices in Punjab’ was undertaken with the objectives to study the perception of farmers towards over-exploitation of groundwater, awareness of farmers towards management practices of over-exploitation of groundwater and to ascertain the extent of use of various management practices regarding over-exploitation of ground water. Eight districts from central zone where over-exploitation of groundwater (above 85%) is prevalent, were selected purposively. From each selected districts one block was selected randomly and from each block one village was selected randomly. Fifteen farmers were selected randomly from each village. Thus, a study comprised of total 120 farmers. The data were collected through personal interviewing the farmers. It was observed that majority of the respondents perceived that ground water is being depleted in Punjab. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were in the middle age group, married, matriculate, belonged to joint families, semi-medium land holding and were engaged in farming as major occupation. Replacing low water consuming crops with high water consuming crops could be the cause of over-exploitation of groundwater. Majority of the respondents were aware about regular maintenance and cleaning of water channel, sowing of crops on ridges and application of laser land leveler as well as mulching in crops saves irrigation water. Majority of the respondents were fully using the method of transplanting of paddy after mid-June instead of May and most of the respondents were fully using zero tillage in wheat paddy cropping rotation followed by cultivation of crops on ridges.ennullThesis