Merging Science and Tradition: A Community Approach to Springshed Management in Uttarakhand
- Anita Sharma
- Jan 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 1
Authors:
1a) Anita Sharma: Project Manager
1b) Nitin Bharti1b: Field Assistant
2a) Ritu Shankar: Programme and Funding Coordinator
2b) Praveena Sridhar: Head of Programmes and Funding
1) Centre for Business and Entrepreneurial Development (CBED), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
2) Frank Water, Bristol, UK
Abstract
Nearly 50 percent of the 3 million springs in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) have either dried up or have become seasonal due to climate change and developmental activities (NITI Aayog, 2017). This "water tower," of Asia is rich in water resources but faces severe water scarcity challenges. About 50 million people live in the IHR (Chakraborty et al., 2022) and primarily rely on groundwater sources like springs and streams. Seventy-seven percent of Uttarakhand’s population resides in the high attitudinal hilly regions, of which 90% depend on natural spring water for daily activities (Jain et al., 2010).
The drinking water crisis is intensifying, with irregular piped water supplies exacerbated by frequent landslides, disproportionately affecting women with the burden of collecting water. Historically, these water sources thrived through traditions and community practices passed down through generations, promoting sustainability and effective natural resource management. However, native traditional knowledge is often overlooked due to the dominance of scientific perspectives and a lack of recognition of Indigenous expertise.
While modern hydrogeology accurately identifies spring recharge areas, there are too few trained professionals to work in rural mountainous regions making it a cost-intensive proposition. The pace of training these specialists lags behind the rapid climate changes and developmental activities threatening the springs.
In response, a community-based spring rejuvenation pilot program was launched in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand in January 2024. This initiative seeks to merge native knowledge and scientific methods for spring management, with preliminary results showing increased spring discharge in both scientific and integrated approaches. This integrated approach can be refined and replicated to enhance spring rejuvenation across the IHR.
Keywords: Water Scarcity, Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), Spring Rejuvenation, Native Knowledge, Climate Change.