Mobile Application-based Inventorization of Spring Water in Remote Areas of the Nainital District, Uttarakhand, India

Springs are the primary source of freshwater for rural and hilly communities in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). However, they remain poorly documented and are increasingly threatened by climate variability, land-use changes, and human pressures. This study focuses on the inventory of springs in the remote areas of Nainital District, Uttarakhand, India, which is located in the Kumaun Lesser Himalayas. We utilized a mobile application-based approach to collect data. A user-friendly mobile platform was developed to record information related to the springs, including geographic location, discharge, seasonal variation, water quality, and socio-economic dependence. This application enabled field workers and local stakeholders to systematically collect data in real time, reducing manual errors and ensuring the accessibility of information. The inventoried dataset establishes a baseline for assessing the current status of springs, identifying declining trends, and prioritizing springs for conservation efforts. Seven springs were inventoried through a field survey in the Bhimtal and Okhalkanda blocks of Nainital District. Integrating mobile technology with participatory data collection provides a cost-effective, efficient, and scalable solution for managing springs in mountainous regions. This approach underscores the potential of digital tools to enhance community-based resource management, ultimately contributing to sustainable water security and planning in fragile ecosystems like the Himalayas.