Orientation workshop on springshed management

About the event

In response to the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh’s initiative to advance springshed management, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in partnership with ICIMOD, under the leadership of Ladakh Administration, is organising the first orientation workshop on springshed management in Ladakh, India under the Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation (SCA)-Himalayas project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

This workshop will bring together participants from the Ladakh Administration, other Ladakh-based organisations, and experts from prominent organisations to share their views and ideas on the topic.

Objectives

• Improve participants’ awareness on springs and springshed management
• Share best practices on spring revival and springshed management
• Identify stakeholders for springshed management in Ladakh
• Co-develop plans for community-based pilots in Ladakh with a focus on scaling springshed management

Background

Springs serve as a vital lifeline for millions of people residing in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), including the Indian Himalaya Region (IHR). However, these springs are depleting at an alarming rate, leading to a reduction in water security and climate resilience for mountain communities. According to NITI Aayog (2018), almost 50% of the estimated 3 million springs in the IHR have either dried up or are currently drying up. This concerning trend is also prevalent in Ladakh, which poses a significant challenge. Failure to address this issue will not only exacerbate water insecurity among local communities but will also hinder the achievements towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 – “Clean water and sanitation for all”.

The mountain desert of Ladakh, located at 3,000–5,500 masl, has long valued its scarce water resources. Ladakhis, outside of the Leh town, rely almost entirely on glacial and permafrost melt to mee their water needs. However, in recent years, due to rapidly receding glaciers, water shortages in Ladakh have become more severe. Glacial streams have begun to flow later in the summer months since most glaciers are located higher in the mountains where temperatures are lower. As a result, the period of water shortage has become longer and more damaging. As the glaciers continue to recede, the need for innovative water management solutions, including measure to replenish local mountain springs, will only keep increasing.

Agenda