Development and implementation of science-based springshed management in the Indian Himalayan region

Concept note

About the workshop

It is estimated that nearly 50 per cent of the springs in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) are drying up, affecting thousands of villages and hill towns that depend on spring water for domestic use and agriculture. Springs also contribute significantly to base flows in rivers, and the drying and loss of springs will affect major river systems in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). This two-day inception workshop is being organised to support the development and implementation of science-based springshed management in the IHR.

Objectives

• Introduce the initiative and explore opportunities for collaboration
• Share learnings from past and current work on springs in the IHR and Hindu Kush Himalaya with a focus on challenges and impact assessment
• Identify the real world needs on training, research, and decision support

Key areas of discussion

The workshop aims to have broader discussion with the state government and key stakeholders on the following key areas in springshed management –

• Challenges and best practices
• Scaling up interventions
• Research and knowledge gaps
• Decision support system (DSS)
• Gender and social inclusion

Background

Drying up of springs has increased water insecurity for many communities in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), which is already facing water stress due to impacts of climate change, human activities, and demographic shifts. Spring water quality has also diminished. According to a NITI Aayog report (2018), 40% of the rural population in the IHR do not have access to safe and adequate drinking water. Drying up of springs also has consequences for the sustainability of Himalayan landscapes and river systems, ecosystem, and biodiversity.

ICIMOD, ACWADAM, IITR and PSI jointly with government and non-government partners are implementing an action research with the aim of advancing scientific knowledge, capacity building and developing a Decision Support System (DSS) for springshed. The initiative intends to develop and promote a scientifically robust participatory methodology for springshed management and implementation of socially inclusive springshed management plans that especially address the vulnerabilities of women and marginalised groups to improve the overall water security in the IHR. The initiative will contribute to the development and implementation of springshed management in the IHR under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) supported project on Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation in Himalayas (SCA-Himalayas).

Agenda

All timings are in Indian Standard Time (UTC+05:30)