Rising demand and dwindling water supply: Urban Himalaya running dry

The water demand-supply gap in 8 surveyed towns across the HKH region is 20-70%. There is a high dependence on springs (ranging between 50-100%) for water supply in three-fourths of the urban areas of the Himalaya. The gap between demand and supply may double by 2050 in a business as usual scenario. A holistic approach to manage water that includes springshed management along with planned adaptation is of the utmost importance for securing safe water supply in the urban Himalaya. Along with springshed management, other options could be explored in the wake of rising water demand and use.