Springs – Lives and Livelihoods

Comprehensive research is essential to address the effects of climate change on water availability. By identifying impacts and developing sustainable solutions, we can secure water resources for future generations.

Dr. Vinod Kothari, Executive Director, Himmotthan Society, Dehradun

Today’s development challenges are dynamic, interconnected, and characterized by multidimensional risks that demand systemic and innovative solutions. Multilateral cooperation is essential to address these shared challenges, which transcend geographic and temporal boundaries. The effects of climate change have become increasingly apparent, with growing biodiversity loss and dramatic shifts in water usage patterns due to extreme weather events. Water, the most vital natural resource, is expected to bear the primary brunt of climate change, impacting both human lives and ecosystems.

The Himalayan region relies heavily on groundwater, springs, and glacial melt streams for its water needs. Springs are particularly vital, providing 94% of rural water supply in Uttarakhand, 70% in Himachal Pradesh, 72% in Ladakh, and 56% in northeastern India

In the Himalayan region, drinking water sources predominantly rely on groundwater, springs, and, to a lesser extent, glacial melt streams. Besides domestic needs, water in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is extensively used for livestock and irrigation. The water supply serves as the “lifeline” for local populations, with springs accounting for approximately 94% of Uttarakhand's rural water supply. Similarly, springs contribute 70% of the water in Himachal Pradesh, 72% in Ladakh, and 56% in the northeastern states of India. However, water availability has witnessed a sharp decline. In 1951, annual per capita freshwater availability in India stood at 5,177 cubic meters. This figure dropped to 1,545 cubic meters in 2011, 1,368 cubic meters in 2019, and is projected to further decline to 1,293 cubic meters by 2025, eventually reaching a worrying 1,140 cubic meters by 2050 . This trend underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management to address the growing gap between finite water resources and increasing demand.

The Challenges of Water Management

Managing water resources is a complex task due to various factors, like; depletion of groundwater caused by over-extraction and inadequate recharge, low storage capacity and erratic rainfall patterns, exacerbated by climate change, presence of contaminants in water sources and poor operation and maintenance of water supply systems. Historically, rural India’s drinking water management relied heavily on traditional knowledge and community-led systems. Piped water supply for domestic use remains a critical yet challenging task, particularly in rural areas. Providing piped water to households not only meets basic needs but also enhances the ease of living, improves public health, and alleviates the socio-economic burden on women and girls, who often bear the responsibility of fetching water.

Sustainable Water Management: A Path Forward

Sustainable water management involves the optimal utilization of water resources to meet current and future socio-economic and ecological needs. Springs, as a vital water source, are key to achieving this goal in the Himalayan region. To ensure sustainability, several critical areas require attention:

Effective water management in the Himalayan region requires addressing key challenges such as significant water loss from underground leaks, ensuring source sustainability, and maintaining a robust database for spring monitoring. Proper maintenance of water pipelines, meeting seasonal water demands in quantity and quality, and empowering local institutions through capacity building are also vital.

1. Leak Detection Technology: An estimated more than forty percent of piped water is lost due to underground leaks. Implementing advanced detection technologies is crucial.
2. Source Sustainability: Water supply schemes must incorporate source sustainability measures during their planning and implementation phases.
3. Spring Monitoring and Data Collection: A robust database and consistent monitoring of springs are essential.
4. Maintenance and Accountability: Long-range water pipeline schemes need proper maintenance and clearly defined social accountability structures.
5. Meeting Seasonal Demands: Addressing water scarcity during lean summer months in terms of both quantity and quality.
6. Capacity Building: Strengthening the decision-making abilities of village institutions and water management committees is vital.
7. Urbanization Impacts: Unplanned peri-urban development in hill areas has directly affected water quality and availability.

The Importance of Research and Evidence-Based Practices

The Himalayan region faces unique challenges, including climate change, rapid urbanization, unsustainable tourism, and overexploitation of resources. Springs, which are critical to supporting livelihoods and ecosystems, must be managed effectively. Proper action research is needed to understand the critical aspects of this issue for the following points:

• Impact of Climate Change on Water Availability

Climate change is significantly altering precipitation patterns, increasing temperatures, and accelerating glacial melting in the Himalayan region. These changes have profound implications for water availability and flow regimes, making research in this area essential. Key research priorities include quantifying the impact of climate change on spring discharge to understand variations in flow over time, assessing the vulnerability of springs to climate change by identifying critical risk factors and developing climate change adaptation strategies to ensure sustainable water availability in the face of these challenges.



• Evidence Creation for the Impact of Springshed Management

Effective springshed management focuses on preserving and restoring natural ecosystems that recharge and discharge springs. Addressing knowledge gaps through research can provide actionable insights to evaluate the effectiveness of various springshed management interventions to identify best practices. It will also help to develop evidence-based guidelines for implementing springshed management strategies. Documenting the socio-economic benefits of springshed management, emphasizing its role in sustaining livelihoods is also needed. Similarly, it is important to investigate irrigation reverse flow as a means of optimizing water usage.



• The Importance of Geohydrological Assessments for Participatory Water Management

Geohydrological assessments offer valuable insights into geological structures, hydrological processes, and the region's water resources. These assessments form the foundation for participatory water management. Research is necessary for conducting geohydrological surveys to map water availability and recharge potential, developing participatory water management plans that involve local communities in decision-making and last but not least promoting equitable access to water resources by identifying and addressing disparities.



• Sustainable Water Harvesting and Storage Technologies

Exploring and developing innovative water harvesting techniques tailored to mountain regions is critical for ensuring a sustainable water supply. Research and innovation should focus on: a) Rainwater harvesting, snowmelt collection, and groundwater recharge methods to augment water supplies and reduce seasonal dependency b) Sustainable storage solutions, such as ferrocement tanks and roof rainwater harvesting systems, suited to the mountain terrain c) Optimizing water management practices, including Zing and Ura systems, and promoting water-efficient crops and technologies for wise water use.



• Socioeconomic Impacts of Water Scarcity and Conflict Resolution

Water scarcity has far-reaching socioeconomic consequences, often leading to conflicts over resource allocation. Addressing these issues requires a multi-pronged research approach to analyze the socioeconomic impacts of water scarcity on local communities to inform equitable policies. At the same time, it is important to document traditional water management practices and systems in regions such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and the northeastern states. There should be efforts to assess the effects of unplanned peri-urban development on water quality and quantity. Similarly, it is important to investigate the impact of groundwater overexploitation, including the formation of sinkholes and degradation of lakes and streams.

By adopting a comprehensive and research-driven approach, these insights can guide sustainable water management practices in the Himalayan region

Public Policy and Advocacy

Research findings can play a pivotal role in shaping public policy for water management in the Himalayan region. Evidence-based recommendations can guide climate change adaptation and sustainable development, with insights applicable to other mountainous regions facing similar challenges. A comprehensive Decision Support System (DSS) can help policymakers and stakeholders in future planning and advocacy efforts.

Conclusion

Addressing the challenges of water management in the Himalayan region demands an integrated and multidimensional strategy that recognizes the region's unique ecological and socio-economic dynamics. A focus on sustainable practices, springshed management, and geohydrological assessments is essential to safeguard water resources for both present and future needs. Moreover, community participation is central to the success of these initiatives. Strengthening local institutions, enhancing capacity building, and fostering collective decision-making ensure that water management strategies are inclusive, effective, and tailored to the region's unique challenges. In conclusion, a multidimensional approach—rooted in sustainability, science, and community engagement—holds the key to overcoming water management challenges in the Himalayan region. Through collaborative efforts, it is possible to secure a resilient and equitable water future for this ecologically sensitive and socio-economically significant area.

Himmotthan has been actively engaged in the central and western Himalayan region for nearly two decades, spearheading initiatives in Natural Resource Management. Their work has predominantly centered on sustainable water management, promoting the judicious use of water resources, and fostering knowledge-sharing with Gram Panchayats and community institutions. By leveraging technology-driven solutions, Himmotthan has empowered stakeholders to make informed and effective decisions. The organization’s key interventions include large-scale implementation of Spring Shed and Spring Scape management practices, Roof Rainwater Harvesting systems, and traditional water management approaches like artificial glacier, Zing and Ura systems.
The reflection on this note has been informed by extensive field-level engagement, community feedback, and insights derived from two decades of on-ground implementation and collaboration

About Himmotthan

In 2001, Tata Trusts initiated Himmothan Pariyojana (HMP) to target the root causes of under development in the Central Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. Himmotthan, the associate organization which manages the Himmothan Pariyojana, has been working in the central Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand since 2007. The expansion of Himmotthan work beyond Central Himalayan region of Uttarakhand to Western Himalayan region is being seen as a natural growth of the organisation that has evolved through constant learning and incorporation of new ideas aimed towards the betterment of the rural communities. Himmotthan works in the state of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Leh region and is focused on working among the rural mountain communities by developing sustainable community owned enterprises linked to livestock, agriculture, non-timber forest produce, and intervening for better education, access to safe water, sanitation and energy.

Our Vision

Together with the partner organizations, Himmotthan is dedicated to the vision of building prosperous and self sustained mountain communities which live in harmony and sympathy with their natural surroundings.

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