Water has privilege over all other natural resources as it determines the system of production and growth in an ecological zone. Use and management of this water for economic benefit has been practiced in all over the world since antiquity. Today, due to high population and economic growth demand of water has increased tremendously all over the world. On the other hand, depleting forest cover, reduce in size of glaciers and a drastic change in climatic conditions has led to 30-40% decline in average rainfall over the past 50 years.
In Uttarakhand Himalayas, there are many villages in the hill districts which are facing a deep crisis of drinking water. The best way of increasing ground water recharge is to provide a good forest cover, with permanent grass cover coming a close second. Roof top rainwater harvesting, solar pumping system, treatment of catchments of traditional water harvesting sources, revitalization of old gravity schemes and infiltration well are most appropriate technologies which can be taken up for improving the situation.
