The Kumaon Hills, foothills that are situated in the central Himalayas. There are roughly 3 million springs emanating from the Indian Himalayan Region, but an Indian government has said nearly half have run dry or are becoming seasonal.The Kumaon Hills, foothills that are situated in the central Himalayas. There are roughly 3 million springs emanating from the Indian Himalayan Region, but an Indian government has said nearly half have run dry or are becoming seasonal.
Women are often tasked with fetching water for their families in these mountain regions, and they tend to be the most directly affected by water scarcity.
Approximately three years ago, this community's search for solutions led them to a development organization called the Central Himalayan Rural Action Group . With time, CHIRAG members formed close working relationships with Joshi and others and offered technical support to help revive the springs in their region.
To mitigate this effect, CHIRAG started organizing local women into"water user committees" and helping them conduct hydrogeological surveys. They traveled across the region to study the topography and determine which direction rainwater might flow as well as what might prevent rainwater from reaching the aquifers — critical information as they decide where to dig trenches and pits.
These efforts can have a substantial impact. The leader of another water user committee in the village, Manju Palariya, says she helped dig 100 contour trenches, which should add capacity for roughly 40,500 liters more water in their aquifers. She also helped plant trees and build artificial ponds to foster better absorption of the water and benefit not only plant life but the small insects and larger animals in the area.
Members of the Rasuhil village water committee meet near their springs — and the pits they've dug so rainwater can accumulate and seep into the ground.Over two years, Kiran Joshi's water committee has managed to save nearly $300 for projects like fixing water pipes or repairing the roof of their naula.
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