Research Projects

Springs are a primary source of potable water for a large population globally. In the Himalayan region, approximately 60% population directly rely on springs to meet their drinking, domestic and agricultural needs. Nearly 80% of residents in the Indian Himalayan region are directly involved in agriculture, and around 64% of the total cultivated land is irrigated by water from natural springs (NITI Aayog, 2018). Globally, there is a growing focus on research into water resources for their combined and sustainable management. Although considerable work has been done on the geology, structure, and stratigraphy of the Himalayan region, only a few isolated studies have focused on geohydrological aspects, including the hydrogeology of springs. Sharma (1981) studied the relationship of spring discharges with rainfall in and around Naini lake basin and showed that the major part of the rain-water flows into the lake and only a small fraction percolates down into the rocks. Later, Bartarya (1989) and Valdiya and Bartarya (1991) undertook comprehensive geohydrological investigations of Gaula catchment in Kumaun Himalaya. Their study highlighted the relationship of springs with geology, vegetation, geomorphology, water balance and recharge estimation and diminishing discharges of springs and streams (Valdiya and Bartarya, 1989 and 1991). Further studies by Ives ,1987; Bruinjeel and Bremmer, 1989; Singh and Singh, 1991; Alford, 1992, indicate that the deforestation, overgrazing wildfires and development activities have enhanced the soil erosion adversely affecting its water holding capacity and influenced the hydrogeological regime in Lesser Himalayan region. However, the question of causes responsible for diminishing discharge of springs, natural or anthropogenic and to what extent, remains unresolved because of long term studies. Despite the fact that a potential to tap underground seepage through infiltration wells also exists, but no systematic efforts to identify hill aquifers (except that of Valdiya and Bartarya 1989, Bartarya and Philip, 2001) and to study geohydrological aspects of springs (except that of Negi and Joshi, 1996 and Valdiya and Bartarya, 1989, Bartarya, 1995) have been made. About 60% of the discharge-decreasing springs that provided ample water to the inhabitants in past have reported a decline in their discharge over last few decades (NITI Aayog, 2018). Although State Irrigation and Public Health Department, Jal Sansthan and Central Ground Water Board measure few parameters of water quality but there is a paucity of published data on hydrogeological and hydrochemical aspects and water quality of the springs. The present research will be helpful in filling the data gap regarding the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the spring water in the proposed area of study as well as ascertaining the role of climate and anthropogenic factors for diminishing the spring’s discharge.

Hydrogeology, Springs, LULC, Gaula catchment, Himalaya