By Pankaj Tewari on 2 July 2018.
Water and energy are two key concerns of communities in mountain regions – and in case of Uttarakhand, they are also interlinked. Although the Himalayas are the source of countless perennial rivers, a substantial share of the population has to face the challenge of water and fuel scarcity. On one hand, agriculture in Uttarakhand largely remains rain-fed even as long dry spells in summer season result in short supply of water for the communities. On the other hand, over-dependence on fuelwood for energy is responsible for the reducing forest cover in and around the villages of Uttarakhand (pdf). As villages in the mountain region are located far away from the main roads, there is limited access to other forms of energy such as coal or liquefied petroleum gas. This has led to a high dependency on forests for fuelwood (Statistical Report Uttarakhand, 2015). High dependency of communities on forests for fuelwood has affected the natural growth of forests which has further aggravated water scarcity in Uttarakhand. Deforestation increases runoff that can trigger disasters like landslides and floods (pdf). The depleting vegetation also diminishes water percolation that can recharge the groundwater table.
Two Solutions Leading the Way: Water Management and Alternative Energy
Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA) is one of the pioneer non-profit organisations in Central Himalayas involved in mountain sustainable development since 1982. CHEA focuses on applying innovative solutions by working in close association with community-based organisations (CBOs) to address the challenges faced by marginal and vulnerable mountain population. CHEA has directly engaged with 23,000 households benefiting a population of around 1,20,000 in 350 gram panchayats of 15 development blocks located in 5 districts of the Uttarakhand. Since its establishment, CHEA has been able to successfully demonstrate strategies for water harvesting and alternative energy supply.
Rain water harvesting tanks and rejuvenation of springs
Water harvesting infrastructure such as springs and rainwater harvesting tanks has benefited 3000 households by improving access to water. Reducing the time for collecting water, the interventions saved 120-150 hours per person in a year. Rejuvenation of 18 springs has been carried out using geospatial techniques (pdf). Creation of trenches to increase water discharge in springs has ensured drinking water availability and increased moisture retention to saturate and replenish the groundwater table. Due to the availability of stored rain water in constructed tanks, the beneficiaries now cultivate off season vegetables (pdf). Water harvesting and storage facilities help households maintain backyard gardens to have nutritional agro-produce; both for self-consumption and for sale in local markets. Annual Reports of CHEA has recorded the interventions to result in an additional income of around INR 24000 to INR 30000 (USD 350 to USD 438) per annum for each household which has been a beneficiary. About one-quarter of the total cost has been contributed by the beneficiaries, and has further strengthened ownership of infrastructure. This is well reflected in the figures that about 90 per cent of units are operational and well maintained. Some communities have even taken the initiative to install their own facilities for water harvesting.
Biogas and solar cooker
Since 2013, CHEA has demonstrated biogas units and parabolic solar cooker as alternatives to wood fuel for energy. The intervention is done for 47 households and the results are encouraging. Not only are the technologies well accepted by the communities, but they are also willing to pay (in cash or kind) for availing the support. The acceptance is high as beneficiaries are aware that it is a one-time investment. As the technologies can be operated using locally available materials, the expenses for maintenance is very low. The prefabricated biogas units are able to produce energy for 3 to 4 hours a day. A preliminary study indicates that it has reduced the fuelwood requirement from around 8 ton to 5 ton per year. In addition, each unit has saved 450 hours in a year that is otherwise spent in collecting fuelwood. The time saved is significant in providing an opportunity for households to utilise in productive activities or to have leisure for wellbeing.
Promoting Technologies for Resilient Mountain Communities in the Himalayas
To reduce dependency on forest and as well as maintain a supply of water, mountain communities must look towards water management and alternative energy solutions. The learnings from villages in Uttarakhand encourage policy planners to consider the technologies of biogas plants, solar cookers and rainwater harvesting tanks – in order to help improve the resilience of mountain communities. Considering the fragile and scattered land holdings of mountain communities, the retrofit units are not only cost-effective but are ideal for community ownership and maintenance. They also offer good economic returns to the communities. The use of geospatial techniques in the process has proven helpful in optimum utilisation of resources. Development programmes of government or projects under corporate social responsibility (CSR) schemes can emphasise on prefabrication of technologies as well as training of workforce who can plan, install and maintain the units. Reducing the dependency on forests for fuel can indeed help replenish water table as well as mitigate disasters in Uttarakhand by increasing forest cover.
Pankaj Tewari, Ph.D., is Executive Director at Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA), Uttarakhand. Views of the author are personal.