- Rapid urbanisation, population growth, and unplanned development have led to land use and land cover changes in Ladakh, adding stress on groundwater resources in the region, says a new study.
- Groundwater exploitation by drilling more wells has further accelerated the decline in groundwater levels and reserves in Ladakh.
- Loss of ice and glaciers due to climate change has significantly reduced water availability and infiltration processes, impacting aquifer health in the region.
- Sustainable management strategies and monitoring groundwater resources are crucial to adapting to these changes and ensuring water availability for various needs in the Ladakh Himalayas.
Groundwater, a critical source of freshwater for agriculture, households, and hotels, is depleting and this could have economic and environmental consequences in the Ladakh region of the North Western Himalayas, a recent study has revealed.
Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand, and rocks called aquifers. In the Himalayan regions of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, groundwater is a potential freshwater source for sustained water supply.
For centuries, groundwater in Ladakh was preserved through traditional conservation and sanitation methods. However, in the past two decades, significant changes have occurred. Along with a changing climate, Ladakh has witnessed population growth, urbanisation, increased tourism, economic development, and lifestyle changes. These factors have raised per-capita water demand, strained the region’s water resources, and disrupted the demand-supply balance.
Further, so far, the groundwater resources of Ladakh Himalaya, in general, and Leh, in particular, have been poorly studied by the scientific community and there are limited studies on the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic stresses on the groundwater.
A recent study published in the Journal of Water and Climate Change in April 2024 has combined the available data to evaluate the groundwater situation in the Leh district of Ladakh in India. It shows that glaciers have shrunk by 40% in area and 25% in volume since around 1650 AD, reducing the glacier melt that replenishes groundwater.
The study highlights the exponential growth of population and built-up areas in Leh, which have increased pressure on groundwater resources. It states that the Ladakh region’s population grew from 29,730 in 1901 to 152,175 in 2020, at an annual rate of 15%. The built-up area increased by 20% from 1969 to 2017 and by about 75% in the last 10 years around major towns.
The impact is evident in water demand as well. The study notes that the number of drilled wells in Leh was ten in 1997. By 2020, the total number of wells in Leh had grown to 2,659, an increase of 115 wells per year. Additionally, the study details the surge in groundwater extraction, which increased by roughly 26% from 2009 to 2020.
Farooq Ahmad Dar, assistant professor at the Department of Geography and Disaster Management, University of Kashmir and the lead author of the study, told Mongabay India that groundwater is becoming a promising source of freshwater for multiple uses in the semi-arid region of Ladakh. “The decrease in surface water quantity and quality in the region is evident. If we observe the present status of population growth, urban spread, industries, tourism, and above all, the growing climate variability and changes in the Himalayan region, the impacts on the surface water are inevitable. This has given importance to other sources of water, and groundwater is now becoming the first option for freshwater. People are using spring water and drilling individual deeper wells to get an uninterrupted source of water.”
Dar added that groundwater is primarily used in households, industries, hotels, and various institutions. “Whatever water is pumped from the underground reserves, roughly 93% of that is used for these purposes. Ladakh is also shifting towards self-sufficiency in the food and crop market. This also demands huge water, and for that, people drill wells. The rest of the pumped groundwater is nearly 7%, used in crop fields, greenhouse vegetation cropping, fruits, and other crops not earlier grown in the region. Groundwater is also pumped by the hotel and guesthouse owners as they require fresh water for the tourists round the year.”
Problems impacting groundwater resources
According to scientists, the major problems concerning the groundwater in the Ladakh region are the imbalance in demand and supply, decline of shallow resources, reduction of natural discharge, drying of springs, and decline of water levels. “In terms of quality concerns, recent years have seen an increase in the concentration of contamination of springs and shallow wells. The shift from the traditional sewage and toilet system to the modern pit and trench system has impacted the shallow groundwater. The reason for this is mainly that these waste systems are constructed without considering the leakage of contaminants to the groundwater, particularly in the urban areas,” Farooq Ahmad Dar said.
Another problem concerning the region’s overall water resources is the changing climate. A 2021 research paper shows that climate change has significantly affected water supplies in Ladakh, with major issues including changes in snowfall, glacier melt, and unpredictable rainfall leading to water scarcity. The region relies on Himalayan glaciers, streams, springs, and groundwater. In another study, around 77 glaciers in the Drass basin of the Ladakh region were evaluated using satellite data. The findings indicated that glaciers in the Drass region have thinned by 1.27 metres between 2000-2020.
Irfan Rashid, senior assistant professor at the Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir, said the reduction in glacier area and volume in the Ladakh Himalayas could directly impact groundwater recharge by decreasing the availability of meltwater that typically replenishes aquifers.
“As the glaciers shrink, there is less ice and snow to melt and percolate into the ground, leading to diminished levels of water seeping down to recharge the groundwater reservoirs. The decline in glacier area and volume alters the natural hydrological cycle, affecting the quantity and timing of water supply to the aquifers, thereby reducing the overall groundwater recharge rates. With less glacier meltwater contributing to groundwater recharge, the groundwater levels may drop, impacting the availability and sustainability of this vital water resource in the region. However, this needs to be researched further,” he said.
Rashid added that changing climate and the urbanisation pattern indicate that the region’s groundwater is not sustainable. “Reduction in glaciers will lead to decreased recharge of aquifers, resulting in lower groundwater levels over time. With less glacier melt contributing to groundwater recharge, there is a risk of increased water scarcity and potential challenges in meeting future water demands. The long-term implications of reduced glacier melt on groundwater sustainability may include disruptions in agricultural practices, water availability for communities, impact on tourism, and overall ecosystem health in the region,” he said.
Sameera Qayoom, professor and head of the Division of Agrometeorology at SKUAST-Kashmir pointed out that in recent years, Ladakh has experienced climate shifts with variations in precipitation patterns, including reduced snowfall and erratic rainfall.
“These changes can impact groundwater by affecting recharge rates and altering the timing and availability of water resources essential for replenishment. Reduced snowmelt and unpredictable rainfall may lead to fluctuations in groundwater levels, affecting agricultural productivity and local water security. The annual precipitation of Ladakh is 86.8mm only, with temperatures ranging from -30 to +31. There are around 25-30 rainy days only,” Qayoom said.
Strategies to address groundwater depletion
According to the scientists, the major concern regarding understanding the groundwater of the region and its relationship with different components is the lack of data. Comprehensive studies are needed to understand the relationship between climate change/human activities and groundwater in Ladakh, focusing on the impacts of warming temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and glacier melt on aquifer recharge, the researchers stressed.
“There is a crucial need for improved data collection methods to gather accurate and reliable information on groundwater quantity, quality, and flow dynamics in the region. More research is required to analyse the effects of anthropogenic activities such as population growth, urbanisation, and land use changes on groundwater resources. Integrating advanced modelling techniques and technologies can help predict future groundwater scenarios and develop sustainable management strategies. Long-term monitoring programmes are essential to assess the trends in groundwater levels, identify potential risks, and evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures implemented in Ladakh Himalaya,” Farooq Ahmad Dar said.
Irfan Rashid from the University of Kashmir said that the connection between snow, glaciers, and groundwater recharge has not been thoroughly researched in Ladakh. Additionally, the extent of the population’s dependence on groundwater and the impact of urbanisation on the sustainable use of groundwater resources remain unclear due to a lack of data.
“Some effective strategies to address these challenges include the use of ice stupas and artificial glaciers, initiatives pioneered by Sonam Wangchuk and Chewang Norphel. These innovative methods can extend water availability during the crop growing season (May to September), providing essential irrigation for crops and supporting local populations. As ice stupas melt, they deliver water downstream, irrigating agricultural lands and contributing to groundwater recharge through soil percolation,” Rashid said.
He added that controlled greening might also improve the situation, especially around urban centres. “Given Ladakh’s traditionally barren landscape, excessive greening could lead to negative climate feedback loops. However, maintaining green areas in inhabited regions can help retain soil moisture.”
Sameera Qayoom from SKUAST-Kashmir explained that changes in cropping patterns or irrigation practices could significantly contribute to mitigating groundwater depletion in Ladakh. “Promoting the cultivation of crops that require less water can reduce overall water demand and stress on groundwater resources. This might involve introducing drought-tolerant varieties or crops that have lower water requirements per unit of yield. Adoption of modern irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation or sprinkler systems can minimise water wastage compared to traditional flood irrigation methods. These methods deliver water directly to the root zone of plants, enhancing efficiency and reducing groundwater extraction.”
Qayoom noted that implementing crop rotation and diversification practices can optimise water use and soil health. Rotating crops with different water needs can prevent excessive groundwater depletion from continuous cultivation of high-water-demand crops. “Utilising rainwater harvesting techniques, such as building reservoirs or ponds, can augment water availability during dry periods, reducing reliance on groundwater for irrigation. Increasing awareness among farmers about the importance of efficient water management practices and providing training on sustainable agriculture techniques can encourage the adoption of practices that reduce groundwater depletion,” she said.
Banner image: Rapid urbanisation, population growth, tourism, and climate change have exacerbated stress on groundwater resources in the Ladakh region. Image by Eldhojose19 via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0).
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