Climate change impact on groundwater development in Himalayas – A Review

Abstract Title:Climate change impact on groundwater development in Himalayas – A Review

Abstract Topic:Theme 38: Hydrogeology and Sustainable Development |Symposium 38.6 Impact of Climate Change on Groundwater

Abstract:

Springwater is manifestation of Groundwater,was used by mountain communities to meet their water requirements since time immemorial. In fact, after flooding of Saraswati and Indus civilisations in geological past induced by melting of glaciers due to global warming in Himalayas, people migrated from river banks to mountains for safe habitats. Villages flourished around spring. Around 700years ago, forts built on top of hills in Maloan,Banasar,Panj singhoka kila, were visited by author who found 2shallow wells manually drilled to provide 24x7 water to troops. This was 1st scientific exploration,development of groundwater in Himalayas. Though abandoned these wells still have water. But with advent of Britishers, this ancient method of exploration was lost to pumping machinery and industrial revolution. Today getting water at peaks with remote sensing, geophysical methods or deep-drilling rigs with 100% accuracy is distant dream. Author studied ancient techniques based on simple principles of geology, geomorphology and recharging groundwater to discover groundwater in Himachal and successfully provided water with 100% guarantee to 3800, Tibetan migrated from Tibet following Chinese aggression in 1959 and settled in Ladakh Himalayas. Groundwater developed by author since 1990s are giving water in Siachen,Kargil,Drass,Leh and earned Guinness World record for highest artesian condition in world. Based on more than 10000 borewells data, Himalayas were classified into 7 hydrostratigraphic zones. Paper proposes model to explain impact of climate change on occurrence and movement of groundwater in Himalayas for sustainable development to meet drinking and agriculture water requirements