Recharge Zone Management

Recharge zone management for reducing erosion and enhancing spring yield together with soil moisture regime: Appreciative of the relationship between groundwater recharge and the spring yields the recharge zones of the springs were traditionally protected by the masses by devoting the forests to local deities and imposing religious-magical sanctions. Recharge pits or small water ponds (Chaals in local parlance) were also maintained by the masses at crucial locations. Learning from the past Himalaya Seva Sangh is one of the organizations that appreciate the intricacies of the hydrological cycle and gives adequate attention on the recharge zones of the springs for maximizing water availability in the region.The atmospheric precipitation entering the ground surface adds to the groundwater reserves that feed the natural seepages around the valley slopes in the hills. The quantum of the rainwater entering the ground is a function of the duration of time for which the water gets opportunity of remaining at a particular altitude. This retention time is decided upon by the nature of vegetal cover, physical resistances to the flow of water on ground and the others. Chaals represent the understanding of the groundwater regime and response of the local populations in their quest for augmenting spring discharge. Himalaya Seva Sangh through its partner organizations has undertaken extensive afforestation in the recharge zone of a large number of springs, brought about appreciable undergrowth and constructed physical hurdles for the flow of water and have constructed a number of Chaals). These measures have significantly increased the spring yields in some areas of our intervention.