Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper


Vol.30, Issue 3, 2024

Page Number: 1064-1070

INVENTORIZATION AND WATER USAGE OF SPRINGS IN MID HILLS (SOLAN DISTRICT) OF HIMACHAL PRADESH INDIA: A STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Upasana, Satish Kumar Bhardwaj, Rajat Singh Rana and Anuradha

Abstract

The concerns of water scarcity with increasing demographic pressures and climate change situations necessitate spring inventories for sustainable development. Therefore study on Inventorization of springs water usage and threats to water supply was conducted during 2020-2022 in the Department of Environmental sciences of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Solan Himachal Pradesh. To inventorize the springs all the 5 developmental Blocks were considered and water usage was determined using questionnaire by interviewing. In Solan District of Himachal Pradesh a total of 954 springs were recorded out of which 478 are perennial, 366 are Seasonal and 110 have gone dry Per capita spring water usage across the district shows that Solan block exhibits the highest water usage, followed by Kunihar, Dharampur, Kandaghat, and Nalagarh. The higher water consumption in Solan block can be attributed to the presence of a greater number of springs. In contrast, Nalagarh block has relatively fewer springs, leading to lower water usage. The study indicated that springs of Solan district are supplying water to many households as a primary source. However, keeping in view of the increased developmental activities in the district its regular documentation and conservation of these traditional water sources is suggested.