As the water crisis in Uttarakhand continues to deepen with continued drop in water level of rivers taking place for more than a decade now, a considerable number of the traditional Dhara (natural water springs), Naula (harvested springs) and natural sources of water have either dried out or are being contaminated with fecal pathogens being found in many of these.
In order to tackle this serious crisis, various organisations have decided that in the future they will jointly participate in water conservation works of the Government especially spring revival works. In addition to this, Gram Panchayats will be involved majorly in a spring management programme on the lines of the Sikkim pattern. These decisions were arrived at on the concluding day of the two-day workshop on springshed management-springs, lives and livelihoods organised jointly by Himmotthan-Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Arghyam and Spring Initiative in Dehradun on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, former bureaucrat VibhaPuri Das stressed on the need for introduction of curriculum based on issues related to Dharas, Naulas and natural sources of water. This will enable the trained youth to work in the villages on such springs and sources of water which will also have a major effect on the conservation of water. In addition to this the Gram Panchayat should also be empowered to work on various water related works, she added.
Speaking on the occasion, Manoj Pandey of Himalaya SevaSangh pointed out that various scientific institutions affiliated to the Department of Science and Technology are consistently submitting reports on the the drying out of water sources and decrease in quantity of water. He said, “Natural sources of water are drying while the water quantity is also dropping lower. The climate change phenomenon has exacerbated the water related problems. There has also been a change in the rainfall pattern as evidenced in the rising trend of torrential rains. The ground water is not adequately recharged from torrential rains which is another factor responsible for water sources drying out.”
Vinod Kothari of Himmotthan said that rivers originating in Uttarakhand sustain life and crores of people in northern India and beyond. He said, “Due to environmental factors, varied development works are not executed to prevent their detrimental effect on the flow of the river. The society in Uttarakhand has been traditionally protecting rivers and conserving water. River protection and water conservation should be accorded the status of ec0-service,” he said, while adding that the Spring Initiative demands that the Centre should pay water bonus to Uttarakhand for conservation of rivers and water.
Sunesh Sharma of Spring Initiative stressed on the need for intensifying the water revolution campaign in Uttarakhand which is lagging. Issues including natural springs, harvested springs and related aspects should also be incorporated into the water revolution.
