Abstract:
The increasing demand for fresh water for various purposes due to ever growing
population, calls for proper conservation and management of all the available fresh
water resources, including lakes, wetlands and springs. Lakes are quite often the
catalysts in the development of the region by supplying water for variety of uses such as
drinking and civil water supply, industrial supply, irrigation, aqua-culture, recreation
and tourism etc. Springs are primary sources of drinking water in many areas,
particularly in the Himalayas. Wetlands are also a critical part of our natural
environment and are the vital link between land and water. They provide an important
range of environmental, social and economic services. The wetland ecosystems provide
habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life
