SPRING SHED DEVELOPMENT BY EMPLOYING TRADITIONAL PRACTICES FOR SPRING REVIVAL AND REDUCING WOMEN DRUDGERY IN KUMAUN HIMALAYAN REGIONBhawna Tewari and Ashish TewariAbstract The Himalayan ecosystem is one of the most important and threatened life support systems on the earth. Ruthless exploitation of vegetal cover from steep hill slopes of Uttarakhand hills is adversely affecting the various natural resources. About 36% of springs have dried resulting into severe crisis of water for drinking as well as irrigation during the past 20 years. It is a dangerous sign that aquifers are depleting in a state where majority of the population in hills dependents on springs for drinking water. Women drudgery is high and bulk of their time is spent in collecting fodder, fuel-wood and water for which walking 4-6 Km/ day is common resulting in neglect of children and personal health. The present study was conducted at two villages (1646 -1715 m elevation) to evaluate the effect of various activities directed towards using a mix of traditional and scientific know how in reviving /improving the water discharge of springs, reducing women drudgery by planting fodder grasses in areas close to villages. The milk production increased by 0.8 to 1.2 liter/ cattle/household. Establishment of micro-reservoirs at each spring shed increased thedischarge of water during lean period. |