Reviving Springs in Himalayan Region to guarantee Clean and Safe Drinking Water Supply to Remote Villages

Abstract

The Eco-geological labyrinth of Himalaya is under the grip of various natural disasters and human interventions that has created a cascade of environmental problems. Natural Springs's water that was used traditionally round the year for meeting drinking , domestic and agricultural needs .In the last few decades these water sources are rapidly moving towards vulnerability and had become seasonal or sometimes even defunct. Till now, no serious attempts have been taken in a planned way to regenerate the drying springs in Uttarakhand which is still a vital natural resource. Instead, the government has launched large scale scheme of centralized piped water supply system and is failed to fulfill the constraint of the local people due to faulty planning, maintenance and lack of people's participation in its management. It has been well recognized that by reviving and enhancing water yield of traditional water sources like springs, we could meet the water demand of rural population residing in remote and inaccessible terrain of Himalaya. Abundant water is available in the Himalayas, as the rain is plentiful but it is an irony the inhabitants still deprived of water even for drinking and other allied domestic need because of their uncomfortable access to these sources. If the drinking water requirements of the people living in the remote rural hilly terrain are to be met in a cost effective way and eco-friendly manner, a strategy to conserve existing and revive the drying springs has to be made. Such a strategy when implemented successfully would solve the water associated problem to the people permanently. To address this problem, Himalaya Sewa Sangh (HSS) and Himalaya Consortia For Himalayan Conservation (HIMCON)-two grass root voluntary organization with support of various national and international funding agencies has been undertaken the work of springs rejuvenation in Garhwal Himalaya (Tehri & Pauri) in last two decades. The initiative undertaken in the recharge zone of the springs with appropriate interventions now resulted in water conservation and rejuvenation of traditional sources in Himalayan regions. More than 45 Mahila Mangal Dals (SHGs), had actively participated in water, sanitation and other environment issues. Innovative rainwater harvesting technique was demonstrated in about 24 villages. 14 springs were revived and managed by the community benefitting 500 households. 6 springs has been regularly monitored with monthly discharge data and half-yearly water quality assessment. Clean and safe drinking water supply made available in the 16 villages either by repairing the defunct water supply hardware or by taking up appropriate interventions such as installation community based Slow-Sand-Filter (Mand Baloo Chhanna), Eco-san toilets. Recharge area treatment works such as construction of percolation pits and plantation of broadleaved species have been undertaken in 50 hectares.