The challenge Mountain springs are the primary, often the only, source of water for drinking and livelihoods in rural, and many urban settlements, across the Indian Himalayan region (IHR). Out of the five million springs across India, three million are in this region which irrigate more than half of its cultivable area.

Drying of natural springs, diminishing spring recharge and discharge rates, and declining water quality due to erratic precipitation, and ecological degradation that increases surface runoff, are pressing concerns. Seismicity also has implications for spring discharge and recharge rate changes as water holding capacities of aquifers are disrupted; often reduced, but sometimes enhanced by secondary porosity in the subsequent hydrogeological regime.

Our approach and interventions A key component of the SCA – Himalayas project refers to develop and institutionalize a comprehensive approach for springshed management. According initiatives are being implemented in pilot sites in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Ladakh. The support refers to the planning, implementation and monitoring process towards robust, scientific and economically viable solutions to conserve and rejuvenate mountain springs in the long-term. The methodology is based on a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating scientific analysis related to hydrogeology and isotope variations, combined with field measures for recharge and conservation of spring resources embedded in the Himalayan ecosystem. The technical approach fosters social inclusion by involving local communities for an increased understanding of the science to protect recharge areas and to efficiently manage both the spring source and its underlying aquifer. Trainings a cadre of para-hydrogeologists, nodal /line departments, local institutions as well as awareness rising for local communities are a central aspect of the approach. In terms of products, an online decision support system (DSS) shall integrate springs related baseline data and six-step protocol for springshed management at local scales. A cost-benefit analysis of springshed management at the pilot sites documents and assesses the impact of the approach. Guidelines on management and monitoring of mountain springs in the Himalayas – currently under elaboration – shall support policy on recharge and conservation of springsheds for improved water security, enhancing socio-ecological resilience of mountain communities. A Resource Book on springshed management was also developed in collaboration with NITI Aayog. This Resource Book is a summarised guiding document on best practices in springshed management for the Indian Himalayan Region.

Collaboration with key partners Pilot initiatives are implemented in close collaboration with the State Governments, namely the Rural Development Department of Sikkim, Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh, the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DoECC) of Manipur, State Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Directorate of Uttarakhand, and and Public Health Engineering Department of Ladakh. The technical aspects and trainings are implemented by a consortium led by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) together with Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management (ACWADAM) Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and People’s Science Institute (PSI).