Uttarakhand Drinking Water Crisis :

Uttarakhand has vast water resources and is a lifeline for millions of people living in downstream areas. However, many areas in the state are facing a water shortage.

A 2018 NITI Aayog report had held that approximately 50 percent of the mountain springs in the Indian Himalayan region, which includes Uttarakhand, are drying up. It is significant because most of the drinking water supply in the mountainous parts of Uttarakhand is spring-based.

Hariyal, a village situated 17kms from Nainital, a popular tourist destination is just like any other village in the hills of Uttarakhand. Roti, kapda, makaan and migration have always been an issue for the locals here, but in the last 10-15 years water scarcity seems to have taken over all the other issues.

From drying up of springs to deforestation several other factors have led to acute shortage of water not only in Hariyal but more than 8 villages around Hariyal. A recent report published by the National Rural Drinking Water Program (NRDWP) reveals a grave situation of drinking water shortage in Uttarakhand. Out of 39,202 villages only 21,363 villages have drinking water facility. The remaining 17,839 villages face severe water shortage either due to the dried up water sources or the failed drinking water projects.

According to the report, the villages in Uttarakhand need more than  3,500 crore over period of five years to provide drinking water to each village. However, the water department is sanctioned only Rs. 70 crore per year. More than 20 rivers and rivulets in the districts in Dehradun, Chamoli, Pauri, Almora, Champawat and Pithoragarh have water sources which used to provide 200 MLD (million liters per day) a decade ago, give only 110 MLD. Dehradun is the district will the lowest ground water supply.

Another UNDP report also suggests that Uttarakhand is facing acute water crisis wherein discharges of 500 water supply sources including springs, streams, ponds etc have reportedly reduced by more than 50%.

Water is also a major reason because of which farmers of the state are migrating and selling their lands to outsiders. While the CM Trivendra Singh Rawat initiated a water conservation campaign in May last year, mere political symbolism will not help in eradicating this crisis, the state needs urgent attention on this issue and proper water conservation measures. The Uttarakhand High Court has historically declared itself the guardian of cows in the state, it is a welcome step, it will be a huge step if the High Court and the concerned authorities of Uttarakhand become guardians of water too.

Reasons :

1. Indiscriminate use of potable water for purposes other than drinking is another reason for the state facing an acute water crisis. As per the Government of India norms, the limit of potable water supply to urban areas is 135 litres per capita per day, but in Uttarakhand this precious water is used for flushing, washing clothes, and gardening. 

2. It is certainly climate change which has amplified reduction of local water resources, but does it mean that government  let our people die of water scarcity.

3. With over 23 lakh tourists and pilgrims for Chardham yatra visiting Uttarakhand this summer season, water crisis in the state has worsened, say officials. The surge in tourist numbers has increased the water consumption, putting pressure on the limited water resources in the state.

4. The changing demographics of the small Himalayan hill stations coupled with a huge influx of tourists has put stress on the lake. Last year the administration decided to curtail withdrawal of water from the Naini Lake to 8 million litres per day from the earlier 18 MLD. Experts have been repeatedly expressing serious concern over increasing stress and overexploitation of Nainital Lake, which is already under threat due to drying up of its source lake- Sukhatal.

Way Forward :

1. In a bid to resolve recurring water scarcity, the state government is planning a long-term plan under which potable water supply would be ensured for each household by 2022

2. Under the proposed law taxes would be levied on extraction of ground water, so it could be conserved and rainwater harvesting could also be made compulsory.

3. Geo mapping of all those (5,000) natural springs is currently being carried out so that have the data relating to their discharge, availability of the database will help in identify the natural springs with dwindling discharge.

4. Remove the leekage problem of water pipes, which lead to loss of water.

5. State will now concentrate on rainwater harvesting and also augmenting natural springs.