Theme 4-20-Water resources and water management in north-western Indian Himalayas (NWIH)

Abstract

Civilisation, land and water go together. Gaining control over land and water and hus-banding these two critical resources for food, fabric, fuel, fodder and shelter has been among the greatest achievements of man. In the NWIH land and water admittedly are two of the most critical resources that determine the socio-economic life of the people of the region as also its environmental situation.

Mountains, as is well Known, are water towers of the world that nourish lands within and outside their bounds. It is common knowledge that most of the river systems in northern India emerge from the Himalayas and these are of utmost Significance to the food security of the country.