Springs and spring-sheds to be counted in next minor irrigation census

The government plans to count springs and their sheds in the seventh minor irrigation (MI) census expected to start next month, two officials said.

- Puja Das

A spring-shed is a land area with groundwater that contributes to a spring.

This comes in the backdrop of concerns around water security. The government is trying to estimate consumption of water and other usage in hill states, which are home to springs that feed into rivers flowing from the Himalayan mountains. However, rapid urbanization has led to a depletion of spring water, which have either dried up or become seasonal where they once were perennial sources of water. In addition, problems such as open defecation and sewage are polluting mountain springs.