Panel urges plan to save springs

Panel urges plan to save springs

News:

1. NITI has requested government to prepare a dedicated mission to revive Himalayan Springs.

Important News:

2. Springs plays an important role in Indian Himalayan region as it provides water for drinking and irrigation.

3. States spanning across North and North east heavily dependent on these natural source of ground water.

3. Causes leading to declining of Himalayan Springs.

• Urbanization has caused rapid development in the region and posing threat to climate.
• Half of the perennial spring are drying up causing acute shortage of water in surrounding area.

4. In a recent report, 60 % of low discharge springs has declined during last decade.

5. Report has reminded Shimla Water crisis in past where.

• More than Half dozens of district in Himachal Pradesh including Shimla faced severe drinking water crisis.
• Poor water management was the main cause of the crisis and reduced snow melt further contributed in water shortage.

6. Reports also highlighted the pollution in spring’swater due to man-made and anthropogenic activity.

• Microbial content, sulphates and nitrates were primarily because of anthropogenic reasons
• Contamination from fluoride, arsenic and iron was mainly derived from geogenic sources.
• Coliform bacteria in spring water originated from septic tanks, household wastewater, livestock facilities, and manure lagoons.
• Nitrate sources were septic tanks, household wastewater, agricultural fertilizers, and livestock facilities.

7. Report has provided some statistical data on spring water availability.

• Meghalaya with 3,810 villages with springs had the highest number Eastern Himalayan.
• Sikkim had the greatest density with 94%.
• Jammu & Kashmir had both the highest number of villages with springs at 3,313 and the greatest density of 50.6 %.

8. Report has noticed the increasing demographic pressure on Indian Himalayan Regions and made following recommendations.

• Collaborative and Multi-disciplinary approach required for managing springs.
• Community-support system for spring water management.
• 8-year programme to overhaul spring water management through preparing a digital atlas of the country’s springsheds, training para-hydrogeologists and introduction of a Spring Health Card.