Water balance component analysis of a spring catchment of western Nepal

Abstract

Drying up of springs and water scarcity issues underscore the need to increase the understanding of spring hydrology, especially in the Himalayan region. It is realized that climate change impacts more on developing countries because they have a lesser capacity to adapt and have other stresses. Many studies in these regions show high water stress, and there is no sign of decreasing the effects in future. In a review of micro-scale and mesoscale studies, Negi (2002) stressed on the systematic monitoring to aid the management of Himalayan springs. Himalayan regions are one of the least monitored areas in terms of hydro-meteorological information (Agarwal et al., 2012). Bruijnzeel & Bremmer (1989) and Alford (1992) elucidated that the management plans stemming from inadequate understanding would not solve water scarcity challenges. In order to improve water availability for the rural communities in Water balance component analysis of a spring catchment of western Nepal