News in Frames | The drying naulas of Uttarakhand
Naulas, or water temples, represent a remarkable union of nature and human creativity; They are places where one can drink clean water and even take a royal bath, as at Ranidhara. naula. These traditional stone-made water springs of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand have long been an integral part of Himalayan life. These are not only historically important but also places of water worship.
in Kumaon culture naula It is treated with the sanctity of a temple, and these ancient stone-lined water structures serve as the primary lifeline for drinking water, especially in places where modern piped infrastructure faces geographical challenges.
But today many naulas And DharasNatural springs where water comes from the hillsides are drying up, abandoned or polluted; These are signs of a deepening environmental crisis statewide. The decline of groundwater recharge has led to the weakening of these sources, and many of these groundwater aquifers hidden in village roads or forest slopes have been neglected. Frequent forest fires compound the problem, destroying vegetation and drying out the soil.
Climate change has further disrupted rainfall patterns, resulting in erratic rains, reduced snowfall, and rapid surface runoff rather than being continuously absorbed by the soil. The main reasons for this decline include road construction, urbanization and increased tourism; all of which damage natural water channels and charging zones. Many villagers report severe water scarcity, especially during the summer months, forcing them to climb to higher ground to find water.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Quenching their thirst: School children collect water from an outlet at Ranidhara naula in Almora district of Uttarakhand.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Complex work: A naula in Nainital’s Mangrao village designed with stone walls to filter and collect water from the soil.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Stark stones: The stone storage structure at Naula lies dry in the village of Mangrao. Steps to protect springs are the need of the hour.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Royal lineage: A storage structure at Ranidhara naula in Almora. Built by the Chand dynasty rulers, the naula was once used by women from royal families.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Interesting design: A person collects dhara water from the mouth of a statue in Nainital district.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Stream with a story: Water from a dhara flows through a pipe in front of decorative tiles with religious motifs in Nainital’s Lohali village.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Slippery slope: Restructuring on mountain slopes, slope instability and rapid climate change threaten the course of natural water flow.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Abandoned tanks: Plastic bottles and other waste materials inside a storage unit collecting water from a dhara in Nainital.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Calm surface: Nainital Lake, which receives water from the dhoros and surface runoff from the surrounding mountains.
Photo: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Lonely Valley: A naula built along the hill slopes in Nainital’s Mangrao village. Once revered as a water temple, the structure now stands as a reminder of man’s relationship with nature.
It was published – 24 May 2026 06:55 IST
