An agricultural area in the northern Indian state of Punjab. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Israeli experts are beginning to assist the northern Indian state of Punjab to develop its water resources, The Tribune reported this past weekend.

The land-locked region is facing declining water tables.

Punjab’s water resources minister, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, met with three Israeli water experts and apprised them of the state’s challenges in dealing with water issues.

The Israeli experts — International Special Projects Coordinator of Mekorot Diego Berger, Project Manager Niv Pintow, Water Engineer of Mekorotfor North district Tomer Malol — explained how Punjab could meet the challenges of its deteriorating water situation.

Over the next year and a half, the Israeli team will present six reports advising Punjab on how to manage its water resources.

Punjab’s chief minister, Amarinder Singh, signed memorandums of understanding with Israel during a visit to the Jewish state last October. The agreements addressed cooperation between Punjab and Israel in areas of water conservation and agriculture.

In April, Mekorot, Israel’s national water carrier, signed a deal with Punjab to assess the state’s water situation.

During his visit to Israel, Singh praised Israeli advances in water management.

In particular, he said that he would like Punjab to recycle waste water for agricultural use the way that Israel did. Singh also described drip irrigation as a “laudable initiative that Punjab could adopt to its advantage.”