Water Stress on Springs of Lesser Himalayan Region

The lesser Himalayan range dominantly consists of tectonic setting that is characterized by multiple
deformations resulting in superimposed folding and repeated faulting and thrusting. The rocks of
lesser Himalayan are highly weathered and immensely fractured that helps them to act as filter and
regulates the groundwater paths for the springs as conduit (rapid) or diffused (slow) flow. Springs of
Uttarakhand, India are back bone for domestic water availability during rainy and especially during
non rainy season even though they are highly ignored. A study was taken up at Chandrabhaga and
Danda watersheds in the mountainous region of Garhwal, Uttarakhand to analyse rainfall and spring
flow pattern and to suggest water transfer plan to supplement the water availability during lean
season. Regular spring flow and automated hydro-meteorological data were collected for July 1999 to
June 2010. The second order polynomial relationship is found best fit between annual rainfall and
annual average spring flow. Spring wise water availability was compared with required domestic water
demand and actual domestic water uses for identification of springs under water deficit /surplus for
three scenarios of spring uses such as 24, 12 and 06 hrs in a day. Based on water availability of the
springs, the water transfer plans, working under gravity for springs has been suggested. Study
suggested a temporary storage of spring water, water transfer plan among the springs and planning to
increase the infiltration and water retention power of soil.
It is also recommended to promote horticulture along with animal husbandry for effective socioeconomic
development. The average water availability through all springs is 266766 l/d in
Chandrabhaga and 262055 l/d in Danda watershed, which is always greater than required domestic
water demand. On the other hand the minimum water availability through all springs is always less
than the required domestic water demand but is greater than actual domestic water use. It suggests
that the water availability is limiting factor for water use and there is a need to increase the minimum
water availability through springs. Water transfer plan in collaboration with the existing social laws,
from “excess” spring to “deficit” spring, through gravity flow are suggested for both the watersheds