Water Resources, Present Scarcity and Future Prospects: Challenges in Terms of Nothing Rest for Management Micro watershed approach of a Kumaun Lesser Himalayan Catchment of Western Ramganga River (Almora) Uttarakhand, India

摘要

The present study is focusing mainly on the problem of water shortage on micro watersheds in a dry land hilly terrain of Kumaun lesser Himalayan region to identify the resource utilization issues pertaining to the watershed confines which are considered a biophysical entity, and regulate most of the human actions and physical components within the boundary through the stream network systems. The study analyses the process of human induced landscape transformation and the resultant consequences in terms of water shortage in Kumaun Lesser Himalayan micro watersheds of Western Ramganga River. The over exploitation of natural resources and inadequate recharge of the springs has created shortage of water almost in all 64 villages. The streams (Shrot), springs (Dhara) and cover-percolated tanks (Naula) are the main sources of water for drinking, and other domestic as well as forming purposes. All of these water sources are dependent on the factor of recharge through percolation and ground water level, and surface run off. Diminishing availability is observed at many water sources in the watershed area and they are dried up. Discharge from dhara and naula decreases significantly. Tap water supplies are erratic and insufficient. The study showed that the paucity of water for all purposes is the biggest handicap for the development of this watershed.