11. Water Resource Management—A Sustainable Approach Towards Ground Water Conservation

A sustainable approach towards water resource management involves land, water and biodiversity in a specific designated area for ecological and sustainable socio-economic purpose towards ground water conservation in hilly areas. The present study shows concept and implementation of watershed management towards developing ground water conservation strategy to minimize the scarcity of water for the local people of Kurseong hill area. Present study finds out the significance and applicability of combined watershed management in and around various tea gardens in Kurseong. Local inhabitants depending on rainfed agriculture are at risk as they are highly vulnerable to changes in seasonal climatic patterns and disturbed water cycle. The people depend on natural jhoras for drinking water supply, household activities and irrigation, but in recent times most of them become seasonal or extinct. 12-month rainfall data has been collected from selected 13 locations of the research area which shows productivity is adversely affected by non-availability of adequate ground water for drinking, household activities and irrigation at critical stages of crop growth. Therefore, the solution is an integrated sustainable approach through watershed management towards conservation of ground water in the study area.