UTTARAKHAND, INDIA – October 7, 2025 – Traditional water systems, which are the lifeblood of rural communities in Uttarakhand’s mountainous regions, are facing an unprecedented crisis. A comprehensive survey has revealed that 76% of the springs across the state are showing a decreasing discharge trend over the last decade, severely threatening water security for thousands of households.
The study highlights that the iconic Naulas (stone-lined groundwater reservoirs) are particularly prevalent in the Kumaon region more so than in Garhwal due to Kumaon’s geology, which allows better water percolation, and a history of greater community autonomy in managing these traditional systems.
Despite their cultural and ecological importance, the springs are rapidly failing. A striking 81% of springs now discharge less than 10 liters per minute and on abandoned agricultural land, the rate of spring drying is double that of cultivated areas. Compounding the crisis, nearly 59% of local responses indicated a 50% reduction in spring lean season discharge over the last decade.
The decline is attributed to a combination of climate and environmental factors: reduced winter rainfall hindering groundwater recharge, rising temperatures increasing evaporation, and changes in forest cover affecting sub-surface water storage. This ecological breakdown has resulted in irregular rainfall, causing simultaneous flash floods and drought-like conditions that harm farming and livelihoods.
Despite these failures in natural supply, dependence on springs remains critical. A survey of 2,413 villages found that 86.4\% of households still rely on natural springs for drinking and domestic use at some point during the year.
“Scientific studies on Himalayan springs remain fragmented,” notes expert Vinod Kothari. He stresses that because the drying trend is evident across all land use types, a comprehensive, census-like inventory is essential to generate baseline data and provide the scientific foundation needed to develop effective strategies for spring restoration.