The Fourth Plate

In the hill districts of Assam, springs – natural outlets where groundwater flows to the surface – have long been the primary source of water for local communities. These springs emerge from catchment areas known as recharge zones, where rainfall and surface water percolate into the ground. The land area contributing to this groundwater flow, called a springshed, forms a delicate ecological system that’s increasingly under threat.

Across India’s mountainous regions, these vital water sources face growing crises due to climate change, urbanization, and unsustainable management practices. Many springs are drying up or becoming seasonal, with the challenge particularly acute in Assam’s hill districts, where deforestation compounds the problem of water scarcity.

The three Hill Districts of Assam – Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao – characterized by Sub-Tropical Monsoon climate and altitudes ranging from 550M to 900M, receive average annual rainfall of 1600mm to 2200mm. Despite this rainfall, these regions face severe water scarcity due to reducing forest cover, changing rainfall patterns, inadequate water management infrastructure, and drying springs.

Traditional Practices and Local Knowledge

Hill farmers primarily practice Shifting (Jhum) Cultivation, with land viewed as community property managed by village councils under headman leadership. Their mixed cultivation includes rice, sugarcane, potato, cotton, oil seeds, fruits, root crops, coconut, arecanut, ginger, turmeric, pineapple, and tea. Animal husbandry focuses on pig, goat, and poultry farming. These traditional farming practices, while culturally significant, needed to be considered in developing sustainable water management solutions.

A Scientific Approach to Conservation

The Soil Conservation Department of Assam manages and protects natural resources by reducing soil erosion, enhancing water availability, and promoting sustainable land use practices. Through its State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA), the department implemented four Springshed Development Projects in 2021-22, identifying 36 Springsheds for treatment.

The project areas were mapped by the North East Space Application Center (NESAC), with technical guidance from institutions like the Central Ground Water Board, National Institute of Hydrology, and NIRD Hyderabad. Interventions were planned for both recharge and discharge areas.

Implementation and Community Participation

Active community participation drives the entire project implementation process. Local youth receive training to assist in identifying spring heads and measuring discharge. The project carefully selects activities for recharge and discharge areas, while providing market-oriented livelihood support to shifting cultivators.

Water User Service Committees (WUSCs), local community-based organizations, play a crucial role in ensuring equitable water distribution, promoting efficient water use, and fostering community participation. The traditional knowledge and practices of the communities related to water management are integrated into the springshed management approach.

Project Interventions and Results

The intervention measures include construction of 16,950 Staggered Trenches, 43 Check Dams, development of 230 hectares of Plantations, and 26 hectares of Bench Terracing. These interventions focus on enhancing groundwater recharge through various structures including bench terraces, staggered trenching, contour bunds, plantation works, gabion works, percolation tanks, and RCC check dams.

Recharge works for all 36 springs have been completed, showing significant enhancement in discharge quantity. This increased groundwater recharge means more water is infiltrating the ground and replenishing the aquifer that feeds the springs. Plantation work has served dual purposes: recharging ground aquifers and generating income for stakeholder farmers.

Broader Impact and Future Implications

The success of these projects in Assam adds to a growing body of successful springshed management initiatives across India. In Sikkim, the Dhara Vikas program focuses on drought-prone areas, while Nagaland’s “Think Blue: Make every drop count” initiative has rejuvenated 105 natural springs, bringing water security to 95 villages.

The program aligns with national initiatives like Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR) campaign and the WDC-PMKSY program. NITI Aayog’s recommendation to include springshed development within watershed development programs has strengthened this approach nationwide.

As climate change continues to threaten water security in mountainous regions, Assam’s experience demonstrates how combining traditional knowledge with scientific approaches can create sustainable solutions. The success of these springshed projects offers a model for other regions facing similar challenges, while ensuring water security for future generations in India’s hill districts.