Springs of Gangtok: Hidden Veins of the City

NIHARIKABINDAL

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is known for its scenic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and natural water sources. Among these, springs locally called dharashave always been a vital part of the city's everyday life. These springs, fed by rainfall and groundwater recharge, provide water for drinking, household use, and agriculture. They also support urban greenery and hold deep cultural and religious meaning. But despite their importance, many springs are now at risk due to growing urbanisation and environmental changes.

With support from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), a fieldbased and GISsupported study was carried out to map and assess springs across all 19 municipal wards of Gangtok. The objective was to document their distribution, assess their current condition, and understand their broader socio-ecological significance. This work helped in understanding how springs connect people, nature, and cultureand how fragile that connection has become.

Mapping and Types of Springs

The study recorded 56 springs. Deorali Ward had the highest number (17.8%), followed by Burtuk and Tadong. Each spring was mapped using GIS, helping visualise their spread across the city.

Based on seasonal flow, springs were divided into two types: perennial and intermittent. Perennial springs flow throughout the year and are generally sustained by consistent groundwater levels. Intermittent springs, on the other hand, flow only during certain monthsusually the monsoonand dry up during lean periods. In the study, about 73% of the springs were found to be perennial and 27% intermittent. This reflects both the importance of springs as a year-round water source and the challenges related to seasonal variability.

Discharge and Seasonal Availability

Discharge data was collected between February and April, a relatively dry period in Gangtok. This allowed us to understand how springs perform during months of low groundwater recharge. Among the springs where discharge was measured, 64% had moderate flow (5–15 L/min), 24% had low flow (less than 5 L/min), and only 12% had high discharge. These numbers show that while some springs can meet basic household needs, many are vulnerable to drying up in dry seasons.

Community Involvement and Maintenance

Ownership records showed that 58.1% of springs were privately owned and 41.8% were under government ownership. But ownership didn’t always determine who maintained the springs. Across many wards, it was the local communities that were responsible for looking after them. People cleaned the spring outlets, managed flow, and even built small reservoirs or collection points. In many governmentowned sites too, residents were the ones keeping the springs in use. This shows the importance of recognising communityled conservation in any water planning effort.

Cultural Importance of Springs

A large number of springs, nearly 87%, were considered sacred by residents. Several were associated with Naag deities (serpent gods) and continue to be worshipped during festivals like Naag Panchami and Chhath Puja. In some places, people believe that the spring water has healing properties. These cultural connections have kept many springs alive, even where there’s no formal protection. Rituals like cleaning the spring, offering prayers, and decorating the space also bring communities together, turning springs into gathering points.

Infrastructure and Storage

Springs that had proper storage tanks or reservoirs were found to serve larger groups of people more efficiently. These structures were likely built through government schemes or local initiatives. In contrast, in some areas, springs had very basic infrastructurelike buckets at the outlet to collect and store water. While not ideal, these solutions show how people have adapted to manage spring water with what they have. This gap in infrastructure shows the need for targeted support in areas that rely heavily on springs.

Piped Supply vs. Natural Springs

To understand how spring availability compares with piped water supply, a statistical analysis was done using data on litres per capita per day (LPCD), population, and number of springs in each ward.

The analysis showed a moderate positive correlation between population and number of springs. This suggests that denser settlements may have developed around waterrich areas. However, LPCD didn’t show any strong link with either population or spring count. This highlights the need to plan piped supply systems better while also valuing local sources like springs.

Accessibility and Infrastructure Gaps

Most springs were easy to access, located within 0.1 to 0.4 km from roads or houses. But in some wards like Tathangchen, springs were deeper inside forested or hilly terrain and not easily reachable. The condition of infrastructure also varied. Some springs had proper structures, while others had none. These differences point to the need for areaspecific interventions, especially in places with fewer resources or limited government support.

Why Spring Preservation Matters

Almost everyone interviewed during the survey agreed on one thing-springs must be protected. People expressed concern about changing rainfall patterns, deforestation, and falling groundwater levels. Yet, this concern also came with a sense of responsibility. Many communities already care for these water sources without waiting for official recognition. If given more supportthrough funding, training, or better policiesthey could play a central role in conserving these springs.

Conclusion

Springs in Gangtok are not just water points, they are part of the city’s cultural memory, ecology, and everyday survival. As climate pressures increase and cities expand, preserving these springs is not just about protecting nature; it’s about protecting livelihoods and traditions. Strengthening both formal infrastructure and communityled efforts can help create a more secure and sustainable water future for Gangtok.

(NiharikaBindal is currently working as a research intern at Ashoka trust for research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE) under the supervision of Dr SailendraDewan)