Abstract:
The undulating topography in the Himalayan region makes it economically nonviable to use water from rivers flowing in deep valleys. Also, glaciers are quite far from the lower Himalayan region (most populated area), and use of melt water from these is infeasible, if not impossible. Thus, people of Himalayan region are completely dependent on natural springs for their water demand. It is estimated that 50 million people of Himalayan region are directly dependent on mountain springs and about 200 million from all over India are also dependent on these natural water sources. Not only does these natural water springs quench the thirst of the people of the mountainous regions, but they also play an important role in maintaining continuous water flow during the lean season in the rivers originating in the Himalayan region. These Himalayan water sources are known by different local names in different Himalayan states like Chashma and Naag in Jammu and Kashmir, Naadu, Panihar, and Baoli in Himachal Pradesh. Naula and Dhara in Uttarakhand and Dhara in North-Eastern states.
In the last two decades, the cities in the Himalayan region have expanded rapidly, leading to construction of buildings and dams, cutting of roads, tunnels, etc. due to which aquifers are severely damaged. As a result, there has been a significant decrease in spring discharge in the Himalayan region and many perennial springs have become seasonal, while some have completely dried up. The intensity of the problem arising from their drying can be gauged from the fact that NITI AAYOG, which is considered as 'think tank' of Govt. of India setup a working group in year 2017 to develop strategies for the revival of these critical water resources.
National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee has been engaged in intensive research for the last few years to understand the hydrological system of groundwater of these traditional water resources in Himalayan region to develop a concrete scientific strategy for their revival. At present, various projects are being carried out by the Western Himalayan Regional Centre, Jammu, a regional centre of National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee for inventorization and revival of these traditional water resources of two Himalayan states i.e. Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. In these projects, a "Six-step methodology for Revival of Himalayan Springs" is being implemented by the institute. This methodology involves mapping and geotagging of Himalayan springs, monitoring and data generation, identification of vulnerable springs, mapping of springshed, adaptive measures to combat the climate change and creation of para-hydro-geologist for capacity building. About 350 springs in Ravi River catchment of Himachal Pradesh have been geo-tagged and the information on more than 40 parameters related to hydrology, geology, water use, population of dependent humans and cattle, land use of water sources, water quality, present status of springs, etc. have been collated. Apart of this, recharge areas of select springs in Baanganga River catchment of Jammu & Kashmir have been mapped and adaptive solutions have been prepared for their sustainable development.
