“The drying of Himalayan springs marks an invisible water crisis in India’s mountains”. Explain the physical and anthropogenic causes behind this trend. Examine its impact on Himalayan hydrogeological systems.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes
Topic: Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes
Q2. “The drying of Himalayan springs marks an invisible water crisis in India’s mountains”. Explain the physical and anthropogenic causes behind this trend. Examine its impact on Himalayan hydrogeological systems. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question: There is growing national concern over Himalayan Spring depletion, backed by data from NITI Aayog and NMHS studies, with direct implications for regional water security and hydrological stability. Key Demand of the question: The question requires identification of both natural and human-induced drivers behind spring depletion and evaluation of its consequences on the functioning and stability of the Himalayan hydrogeological system. Structure of the Answer: Introduction Mention the ecological and hydrological importance of springs in the Himalayas and recent evidence of accelerated depletion. Body Physical causes: Changes in precipitation regimes, snowmelt reduction, slope instability, and tectonic disruptions. Anthropogenic causes: Road blasting, forest degradation, over-extraction of groundwater, and land use changes. Impact on hydrogeology: Reduced recharge rates, seasonal desynchronisation of flows, aquifer fragmentation, and loss of baseflow in spring-fed rivers. Conclusion Stress the urgency of implementing a science-based, community-participatory spring-shed management strategy across the Himalayan region.
Why the question: There is growing national concern over Himalayan Spring depletion, backed by data from NITI Aayog and NMHS studies, with direct implications for regional water security and hydrological stability.
Key Demand of the question: The question requires identification of both natural and human-induced drivers behind spring depletion and evaluation of its consequences on the functioning and stability of the Himalayan hydrogeological system.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction Mention the ecological and hydrological importance of springs in the Himalayas and recent evidence of accelerated depletion.
• Physical causes: Changes in precipitation regimes, snowmelt reduction, slope instability, and tectonic disruptions.
• Anthropogenic causes: Road blasting, forest degradation, over-extraction of groundwater, and land use changes.
• Impact on hydrogeology: Reduced recharge rates, seasonal desynchronisation of flows, aquifer fragmentation, and loss of baseflow in spring-fed rivers.
Conclusion Stress the urgency of implementing a science-based, community-participatory spring-shed management strategy across the Himalayan region.