Watershed management strategies in Central Himalaya: The Gaula river basin, Kumaun, India

Abstract

The hydrological regime of Central Himalaya has been greatly affected by changes in land use, the deforestation of steep hillslopes, accelerated soil erosion and landslides. A survey of villages in the Gaula river basin found that 40% were concerned about the 25–75% diminishing discharge of water supply springs during the past five to 50 years. Flow in the Gaula river has also declined. Rainfall records from the Kumaun Himalaya show reductions ranging from 9.5 to 34.0% in the period 1958–1986, which are not found in rainfall records from the neighbouring plains. New land management strategies are required. The recharge area of village springs must be rehabilitated by: the creation of ‘spring sanctuaries’ on the upper hillslopes, to assist the infiltration of rainwater; the construction of water conservation tanks, to reduce surface runoff losses during the monsoon; the promotion of more efficient systems of water distribution in the village communities; and a more rigorous approach to landslide and erosion control.