Review Paper:
Hydrological Challenges
and Water Management Strategies in the Uttarakhand Himalayas
Kumar Nitish
Disaster Advances; Vol. 18(12); 91-98;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1812da091098; (2025)
Abstract
The Himalayan Mountains are rich in springs as a vital source of groundwater and
they are used for drinking water, agriculture and other domestic purposes. Some
springs have been tapped with the public water supply system for providing raw water
to villages, towns, cities and industries. In the last few decades, these sources
have felt stress due to increasing population (demand), human interventions and
climate factors. Some springs have only seasonal discharge and some are completely
dried. Various efforts have been made by the Government and nongovernment organizations
(NGOs) on the development of springsheds and management for the augmentation of
discharge in the Himalayan region. In Uttarakhand, different Government (Peyjal
Nigam, Jal Sansthan) and nongovernment (CHIRAG, HIMCON, Himalaya Sewa Sangh) organizations
have been actively involved in the springshed development program over the past
years.
Many recharge structures (Gully Plug, Deep recharge pit, Percolation pit, Contour
trench) and scientific techniques (Isotopes, Remote sensing and GIS, Conceptual
modelling and theoretical models) have been implemented at different sites of Uttarakhand.
This study describes the technical assessments of the current status of springshed
management in Uttarakhand and suggests the possibilities for increasing spring discharge
through various scientific approaches.
