Technical series:E For official use only

Government of India
Ministry of Water Resources
CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD

GROUND WATER INFORMATION BOOKLET

KULLU DISTRICT, HIMACHAL PRADESH

NORTHERN HIMALAYAN REGION

DHARMSALA
MARCH 2013
 Contributors

Anukaran Kujur
Assistant Hydrogeologist

Prepared under the supervision of

Shri J.S. Sharma

Head of Office
&
DALEL SINGH
Supdt.Hyd.

Our Vision
Water security through sound groundwater
management
 Ground Water Information Booklet
Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh

CONTENTS
DISTRICT AT A GLANCE

Page no.
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1-3

2.0 CLIMATE & RAINFALL 3

3.0 GEOMORPHOLOGY & SOILS 3-4

4.0 DRAINAGE 4-5

5.0 GROUND WATER SCENARIO 6-11

5.1 Hydrogeology 6-10

5.2 Ground Water Resources 10
5.3 Ground Water Quality 10
5.4 Status of Ground Water Development 11
6.0 GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 11-13

6.1 Ground Water Development 11

6.2 Water Conservation & Artificial Recharge 12-13
7.0 GROUND WATER RELATED ISSUES & PROBLEMS 13

8.0 AWARENESS & TRAINING ACTIVITY 13

9.0 AREAS NOTIFIED BY CGWA / SGWA 13

10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 13-14

 KULU DISTRICT AT A GLANCE
Sl. ITEMS Statistics
No
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
i) Geographical area (sq km) 5503
ii) Administrative Divisions (2001)
• Number of Tehsil & sub-tehsils 4&2
• Number of CD Blocks 5
• Number of Panchayats 204
• Number of Villages 172
iii) Population (2011 Census)
• Total population 4,37,903
• Population Density (pers/sq km) 80
• Rural & Urban Population 3,96,512 & 41,391
• Sex Ratio (F/M) 942 /1000
iv) Average Annual Rainfall (mm) 1405.7
2. GEOMORPHOLOGY
Major Physiographic units • Mountainous area
• (Elevation 4200–5000m amsl)
• Valley/ alluvial plain
(elevation 914-2100m amsl)
Major Drainages
• Beas basin Beas River and its Tributaries
3. LAND USE (2008-09) (Hectare)
• Forest area 900
• Total Cropped Area 64300
4. MAJOR SOIL TYPES • Alluvial soil
• Non-calcic soil
5. AREA UNDER PRINCIPAL CROPS
(2008-09) in hectare
• Rice 1,443
• Wheat 24,160
• Maize 16,683
• Barley 3,343
• Pulses 2,899
6. IRRIGATION BY DIFFERENT
SOURCES( 2008-09) in hectare
• Net area irrigated through different 2,553
sources
7. NUMBER OF GROUND WATER
MONITORING WELLS OF CGWB
(As on 31.3.2013)
• Number of Dug Wells 3
• Number of Piezometers Nil
8. PREDOMINANT GEOLOGICAL • Alluvium/valley-fill
FORMATIONS (Quaternary)
• Proterozoic
9. HYDROGEOLOGY
Major Water Bearing Formations
1. Semi consolidated & Consolidated Covers major part as hilly terrain
sediments
(Proterozoic)
• Yield prospects Low to moderate (1-5 lps)
• GW structures Springs, open wells
2. Unconsolidated porous sediments In Kulu valley & other small
(River & Glacial Deposits) valleys along major rivers
• Yield prospects High (10-25 lps)
• GW structures feasible Open wells & tube wells

10 GROUND WATER EXPLORATION BY

CGWB (as on 31.3.2013)
• No of wells drilled 9
• Depth Range (m) 18 – 101
• Discharge (lpm) 299 – 1079 lpm
• Static Water Level 1.62 to 31.45 m bgl

11. GROUND WATER QUALITY

Presence of Chemical constituents more Nil
than permissible limits (e.g. EC, F, As, Fe)
Quality of Ground Water Good
(EC Range in µS/cm) (32– 805)

12. AWARENESS AND TRAINING Nil

ACTIVITY

13. EFFORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE Nil

& RAINWATER HARVESTING

14. GROUND WATER CONTROL AND

REGULATION
• Number of OE & Critical Blocks Nil
• No of blocks notified Nil
15. MAJOR GROUND WATER PROBLEMS
AND ISSUES
• Depletion of water table Nil
• Water scarcity & Deep water levels Nil
• Water logging Nil
 DISTRICT GROUND WATER BOOKLET
KULLU DISTRICT, HIMACHAL PRADESH

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Kullu was made a separate district on 30th July 1963 when it was a part
of composite Punjab. Prior to it, it was a tehsil of district Kangra. Kullu is
a sparsely populated, centrally located hilly district of the State. The
district lies between 31020’25” and 320 25’00” north latitude and
76°56’30” and 77052’20” east longitude. It is bounded on the north and
east by Lahul and Spiti district, on the south-east by Kinnaur district, on
the south by Shimla district, on the south- west and west by Mandi district
and on the north-west by Kangra district. The district has a total area of
5,503 Sq. km. As per 2001 census the Kullu district comprises of 4 Sub-
Divisions, 4 tehsils and 2 sub-tehsils. The four tehsils are Kullu, Manali,
Banjar and Nirmand and two sub-tehsils namely Anni, and Sainj. There are
five community development blocks in the district. They are Nagar, Kullu,
Banjar, Anni and Nirmand.
The district is approachable by all-weather roads, such as, National
Highway No. 21 and other State Highways. Small valleys located in
various parts of the district are
1. Kullu valley : - located along the Beas river
2. Lug valley :- located along Sarvary khad
3. Garsa valley :- located in the eastern part of Kullu district
4. Manikaran valley :- located along the Parvati river

District is not having any large or medium scale industrial units.

However, the district is known for Tourism and Hotel units as the district
is known for its rich Art and Cultural Heritage, lush green deep meadows,
dazzling rivers, white-capped snowy peaks and high mountains. Some of
the important places are Bijli-Mahadev, Bajaura, Nagar, Manali, Hadimba,
Rohtang-Pass, Malana, Vasisht, Manikaran etc.

1
 KULLU DISTRICT

KULLU

Figure: 1

2
 Hydroelectric power stations are under construction, namely Parvati
project and Larji project. After the completion of these power projects the
state will be in a position to earn revenue after selling electricity to the
neighboring States.
In mineral wealth only slate mining is carried out for roofing materials
and transported to near by districts, which earns a fair amount of money
for the people of district.
As per 2011 census, total population of the district is 4,37,903 persons
with a sex ratio of 942 females per 1000 males.
Central Ground Water Board under Exploratory Drilling Programme has
drilled nine wells including observation wells up to March 2013 to know
the sub-surface geology and aquifer parameters. State Government has also
drilled shallow hand pumps in valley areas. For monitoring ground water
levels and chemical quality in Kullu valley, the CGWB has established 3
observation wells.

2.0 CLIMATE & RAINFALL

Climate of the district is cool and dry and the year unfolds three broad
seasons viz. cold season from October to February, hot season from March
to June and rainy season from July to September. Snowfall generally
occurs in December and January at higher elevations and most of the areas
are cut off from the district headquarter since the mountain passes are
closed. The district receives moderate rainfall and bulk of it is generally
received during June to September and January-February. August is the
wettest month through out the district. The average annual rainfall of the
district is 1405.7 mm, out of which 57% occurs during June to September.

3.0 GEOMORPHOLOGY & SOILS

Geomorphology of the area plays an important role in deciphering the

sub-surface and surface hydrogeological conditions. On the basis of hydro
geomorphological and geological set up, the study area can be divided into
the following geomorphic units.
I) Mountainous area- Dhauladhar and Pir-Panjal ranges trend NW-SE
and peaks ranging in height between 4200-5000m above mean sea level.
II) Snow covered area- Northern and northeastern parts of Kullu district
are covered with snow and snow line exists in this area.
III) Denuded hills- The presence of residual ridges along the intermontane
valleys suggest that these ridges are the remnants of high relief mountains
and formed active erosion.

3
IV) Valley area - Fluvial processes and structural disturbances in the area
form intermontane valleys. Kullu valley is elongated and broadly v-shaped
in cross-section and denuded hills along the sides.
V) Terrace area- Number of terraces are formed along the river valleys in
Kullu district. Terraces are generally noticed on the western bank of the
Beas River. Two levels of terraces are demarcated near Bhunter, which
are covered with thick vegetation.
The elevation of Kullu district ranges from 914m to 4084m above mean
sea level with varied agro-climatic conditions. The texture of soil ranges
from sandy loam to clay loam and the colour of the soil also vary from
brown to dark brown. Generally the soil is acidic in nature. Depth of the
soil varies from 50 to 100 cms. But despite this, all the agro climatic
conditions provide a range of potentialities for growing cash crops like, off
season vegetables, seed potatoes, pulses and temperate fruits.

4.0 Drainage

The river Beas and its tributaries mainly drain more than 80% of the
district. This river originates in the Pir-Panjal range near Rohtang, at an
elevation of about 4000m and is joined by number of tributaries viz.
Parbati, Hurla, Sainj etc. All the tributaries are perennial in nature.
The Beas river flow towards south-southwest direction under steep
gradient up to Larji and thereafter, it becomes gentler. Besides Beas, Sutlej
river forms a boarder between Shimla and Kullu district and flows in south
easterly direction. Both the rivers are flowing in their youth stages as
indicated by ‘V’ shaped river profile and deeper river channels.
The Beas river maintains a longitudinal and consequent relationship in
its upper course and after Larji it takes a knee-bend type turn towards west.
The river is joined by subsequent rivers i.e. Parbati, Hurla, Sainj on its left
and right banks. Several streams on their southern side in Kullu district
join these subsequent rivers.

4
 KULLU DISTRICT

Figure: 2

5
5.0 GROUND WATER SCENARIO

5.1 Hydrogeology
Broadly, the following geological sequence, which includes rocks of
Precambrian to Quaternary age, is noticed in the district.

Geological succession in Kullu district

ERA PERIOD FORMATION DESCRIPTION

Quaternary Recent to sub- Alluvium; fluvial, Sand, silt, clay, boulders, pebble
Recent terrace, piedmont and cobble etc.

Batal formation Dark gray carbonaceous slates and

phyllites with quartzites
Neoproterozoic Chamba formation Slate, phyllites, siltstones and
Greywacke
Proterozoic Mesoproterozoic Kullu Group Slate, Phyllites , Quartzites
and Schist
Largi formation Slate, Phyllites and Quartzite with
dolomites and conglomerates
Precambrian Vaikrita Group Slate, Phyllites and Quartzites

Granite & Gneiss Granite, schist and gneisses

6
 KULLU DISTRICT

Figure: 3

Hydro geologically the entire area of Kullu district can be divided into
porous and fissured formations. Porous formation includes the
unconsolidated sediments. These sediments include fluvial channel

7
deposits, valley fill deposits, terrace deposits and alluvial fans. These
sediments form the potential aquifers. Unconsolidated sediments underlie
Kullu valley, Garsa valley, Manikaran valley, Lag valley and longitudinal
valley all along the major rivers and khads.
Fissured formation includes the semi-consolidated to consolidated
sediments exposed in the district and are of sedimentary, metamorphic and
igneous in origin. These form low to high hill ranges throughout the
district.
In Kullu valley, ground water generally occurs under confined to semi-
confined conditions. Phreatic aquifers are tapped mainly by open wells and
form major source of domestic and irrigation water supply in the valley
area. The aquifer zone mainly comprises of sand and silt in association
with pebbles and boulders in low plains and predominantly boulders,
cobbles, pebbles mixed with little clay in terraces. Static water level varies
from 1.62m to 31.45m below ground level.
Central Ground Water Board has drilled 9 wells including observation
wells in the district to know the aquifer parameters and sub-surface
geology. The discharge of these wells varies from 299 lpm to 1079 lpm.
The source of major water supply schemes are based on springs in the
district. The discharge of the springs varies from 0.5 lps to 25 lps. Majority
of the springs are gravity springs. In gravity springs, the most common are
the contact springs, which are formed by permeable water bearing
formations overlying less permeable formations the contact of these
formations intersects the ground surface.
There are lots of hot springs in Kullu and Parbati valleys. Along Beas
river valley hot springs vary in temperature from 290C to 590C and in
Parbati river valley the thermal springs vary in temperature from 350C to
960C. In Beas river valley, all the rocks belong to Pre-Cambrian age and
are represented by gneisses, phylites, quartzite and limestones. A major
fault extending in north- south direction from Bashist to Katrain for a
distance of 25 kms, appears to control the emergence of thermal activity.

8
 KULLU DISTRICT

INDEX

30-75 m3/hr

< 5-30 m3/hr

Figure: 4
Thermal springs are non-existent along the thrust zone. Geo- thermal
activity is confined to valley-fill on either side of the valley-fill, except at
Basisht located close to gneissic rocks.

9
 In Parbati river valley, crystalline rocks of early to middle proterozoic
age are thrust over younger middle proterozoic rocks. Thermal springs at
Jan, Kasol and Manikaran emerge through quartzites at Balargarh through
carbonaceous phillites/limestones, at Pulga through quartz-mica
schists/gneisses and granite. Maximum temperature of 960 C is recorded at
Manikaran.

5.2 Ground Water Resources

Ground water resources and irrigation potential for Kullu valley of the
district has not been computed as per the GEC-97 methodology due to
hilly terrain and localized aquifers. Snow fall in the higher reaches and rain
fall in the lower areas, recharge the ground water. Springs are the other
main sources for the irrigation and water supply schemes.

5.3 Ground Water Quality

Water samples collected from shallow as well as deep aquifers and

springs for chemical analysis indicate that the chemical parameters are
within the permissible limit of safe drinking water set by Bureau of Indian
Standard (BIS), except hot water springs. All the parameters of hot water
springs are more than permissible limit and not fit for drinking purposes.

Chemical results of 2012

S. No. Parameter Range (spring/ dug Range

wells) (Hot spring )
Min Max Min Max
1. pH 7.69 8.65 8.05 8.21
2. EC µS/cm 34 1040 560 2400
3. HCO3 (mg/l) 21 350 171 720
4. Cl (mg/l) 3.5 202 96 561
5. F(mg/l) 0.10 0.79 .88 8.20
6. Ca(mg/l) 6 156 10 46
7. Mg(mg/l) 0.75 34 1.2 4.2
8. Na(mg/l) 0.4 134 70 600
9. K(mg/l) 0.1 48 13 41
10. TH as CaCO3(mg/l) 18 530 30 133

The overall quality of ground water is potable and safe for drinking
purpose except hot water springs.

10
5.4 Status of Ground Water Development

In Kullu valley, ground water occurs under water-table to semi-confined

conditions. Phreatic aquifers are tapped mainly by open wells and form the
major source of domestic and irrigation water supply in the valley. The
aquifer zone mainly comprises of sand in association with pebbles and
boulders in low plains and predominantly boulders, cobbles, pebbles mixed
with little clay in terraces. Depth to water level varies from 1.62m to 31.45
m below ground level.

State Ground Water Organization has constructed shallow hand pumps

down to a depth of 30 to 50m. bgl. Some of them have been energized for
water supply schemes. Most of the hand pumps are along the Beas and
other tributaries of the valley.

Under exploration work in Kullu valley, seven exploratory and two

observation wells have been drilled with a depth ranging from 18m to
101m. The discharge of these wells varies from 299 lpm to 1079 lpm
depending upon the lithology encountered in the area. In Sangribag hot-
water artesian spring (340C) with a discharge of more than 5 lps
encountered. To identify the contact of fresh and hot water spring another
bore hole was drilled down to a depth of 21.00m. The ground water is
fresh and potable.

6.0 GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

6.1 Ground Water Development

Kullu valley is partly explored and only shallow aquifers are tapped for
water supply schemes. All these wells are drilled all along the Beas river
and its tributaries in the district. There is a lot of scope for the future
ground water development in the district.
In Kullu valley, ground water occurs under water-table to semi-confined
conditions. The aquifer zone mainly comprises of sand and fine silt in
association with pebbles and boulders in low plains and predominantly
boulders, cobbles, pebbles mixed with little clay in terraces.
Fissured formation includes the semi-consolidated to consolidated
sediments exposed in the district and are of sedimentary, metamorphic and
igneous in origin.
Metamorphic and igneous rocks exposed in northeastern parts of the
district include quartzites, gneisses, phyllites slates and dolomites.

11
Phyllites interlayer with thin quartzite bands and slates with dolomites
form the exposed metamorphic rocks. Springs are reported to exist in the
low topography areas along the lineaments and contact of various
formations.
Most of the part of Kullu district having Metamorphic and Igneous
rocks (consolidated and semi-consolidated) have not been explored due to
mountainous terrain and difficulty in approachability as such, their yield
potentials are unknown.

6.2 Water Conservation and Artificial Recharge

Average annual rainfall of the district is 1,405.7 mm, out of which 57%
occurs during June to Sept. Due to hilly terrain most of the rainfall goes as
runoff and a very small quantity enters as ground water. The ground water
condition becomes particularly severe in hard rock formations, where
scope for recharging the aquifer is low. Only the area, sufficiently
traversed by faults/joints/weak zones/ weathered zones get recharged
during the monsoon period. Due to high relief, most of the surface water
goes as runoff, and hence, there exists a scope for recharging such aquifers.
Taking into consideration the physiography of the area, the following
methods for artificial recharge are suggested.

Gabion Structure: - In hard rock areas, marked with fractures/weak

zones; such less costly structures can be useful for recharging the surface
water.
Contour Bunding: - This practice can be followed efficiently in hilly
terrain, tapping the stream water. Here, the ditches are excavated following
the ground surface contour of the area.
Subsurface dykes: - These types of structures are very useful in arresting
the sub-surface flow in a stream and store the water below ground surface,
to meet the demands during the period of needs.
Check dams: - Check dams can be constructed across small streams,
having gentle slope and are feasible both i.e. hard rock areas as well as
alluvial formations. The design of the structure is based on the
characteristics of the stream course.
Recharge Shafts: -These are most efficient and cost effective structures to
recharge the aquifer directly. In the areas, where source of water is
intermittent or perennial e.g. base flow, springs etc., the recharge shaft can
be constructed.

12
Roof top rain water harvesting: - During the monsoon period , the rain
water from roof tops can be collected and put into recharge structure for
recharging the shallow aquifer. This will help in raising the water level in
the area, to some extent. The water can also be used for domestic purposes
by collecting it into tanks.

7.0 GROUND WATER RELATED ISSUES & PROBLEMS

In Kullu district, major water supply schemes are based on springs and
surface water. The excess of silt in major rivers, create problems for water
supply schemes. Ground water in Kullu district has not been explored fully
for its development. Kullu valley, located along the Beas river, Lag valley-
located along Sarvary khad, Garsa valley-located in the eastern part of
Kullu district, Manikaran valley- located along Parbati River and small
valleys in Sainj, Banjar, Ani can be explored for the development of
ground water for round the year and fresh water supplies to the public and
for irrigation purpose.

8.0 AWARENESS AND TRAINING ACTIVITY

Mass Awareness Programme (MAP) & Water Management Training

Programme (WMTP) by CGWB

Central Ground Water Board has not conducted any Mass Awareness
and Training Programme in the district on Water Management and
Rainwater Harvesting.

9.0 AREAS NOTIFIED BY CGWA / SGWA

The stage of ground water development in Kullu district has not been
calculated. Hence, no area or block in the district has been notified from
the groundwater development point of view.

10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Ground water development in the district, has not been fully

explored and falls in safe category, Hence, there is a scope for
developing the ground water resource in the district.

13

Groundwater development by constructing shallow and deep
boreholes can be carried out, in the valleys and the river terraces.

Rooftop rainwater harvesting structures are mandatory in municipal

areas, but there is a need to create awareness about these structures
in rural areas also as well.

Traditional resources like springs and bowries need to be revived,

developed and protected for future use. Public participation in water
resource management should be encouraged.
*****

14
 For Technical Assistance Relating to
Rainwater Harvesting
&
Artificial Recharge to Ground Water

Contact:

CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD

NORTHERN HIMALAYAN REGION
Dove Cottage, Near Ram Nagar Post Office, Dharamshala
(H.P)

Phone: 01892- 227160

Telefax: 01892-223535

e-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]

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