This document provides an inventory of springs in Karimba Panchayath, Palakkad District, Kerala. It identifies 36 springs through field surveys and GPS coordinates. The springs are classified as depression, contact, or fracture springs. Water quality analysis found pH and TDS were generally within limits, while electrical conductivity and coliform counts varied. Key threats identified were quarrying, landslides, and man-animal conflicts. The inventory aims to aid further environmental studies and management in the region.

1. INVENTORY OF SPRINGS IN
KARIMBA PANCHAYATH,
PALAKKAD DISTRICT
Suparna s
CUARMES019
Dept.Environmental science
University of calicut
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
SATHEESH R
HEAD ,NRM DIVISION
IRTC PALAKKAD

2. INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS A SPRING ?
 A spring is a point at which water flows from an aquifer to the
Earth’s surface.
INVENTORY OF SPRINGS
 Inventory of springs is an important step towards the detailed
study of environmental areas such as Groundwater trend
analysis,Water quality analysis,land usage,human-animal conflict
study, Irrigation,water shed development.
 Inventory of springs’ deals with the mapping of natural springs in
karimba panchayath

3.  A large proportion of population in this region depends on
spring water for fulfilling their livelihood and domestic needs
such as drinking and irrigation.
 Spring water is considered as purest water than other forms
of freshwater.
 Studies indicates that the deforestation,landuse-
change,intense grazing,reduced water retention capacity of
the catchments declining rainfall in some localities have led
to diminishing discharge of the springs

4.  Classification of springs
1. Depression spring : Formed when water table reaches the
surface due to topographic undulations.Topographic depression
intersects an unconfined aquifer.
2. Contact spring : Water-bearing stratum overlies an impermeable
stratum.Water discharges where the contact zone between the
strata intersects the landsurface.
3. Fracture spring : Occurs due to existence of jointed or
permeable fracture zones in low permeability rocks.The fracture
zone between two opposing rock strata provides a flow path for
groundwater to discharge.

5. OBJECTIVES
 To prepare the inventory of all springs in Karimba
Panchayath.
 Analysis of Spring water quality and water usage
pattern.
 Impacts observed on springs caused by various
human interventions.

6. MATERIALS AND METHODS
STUDY AREA
 Karimba panchyath is a grama panchayth situated in palakkad
district, mannarkad block.The largest town in karimba panchayth
is kalladikodu.The total geographical area of this panchayath is
69.22 sq Km.
 .Karimba panchayath is rich in traditional farming and water
harvesting systems.The major crops cultivated in this panchayath
is pepper, rubber,arecanut,coconut,nutmeg,mango,paddy,banana.
 Inventory of 36 springs were spotted at this region and most of
springs were identified as perennial springs.

7. DATA COLLECTION.
 Data is collected from the field directly.
 Inventory of springs were carried out with the help of native
people of the study area and also by preparation of question airs.
 A handheld GPS was carried out to spring locations for
identification of the geocoordinates of the springs,GPS mobile
application is used in accordance with the availability.
 Spring ID was given in a pattern,i.e the first 2 letters consist of
name of the state Kerala(Ke),Mannarkad block panchayath (Ma)
and Karimba grama panchayath (Ka) was taken respectively and
finally the numbering as (01,02,03....35) was given in the order
for identification

8. METHODOLOGY FOR WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS
 Measuring of discharge of spring water is done by carrying a 1
liter bottle and measuring its discharge in liter per minute
SL.
No.
WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS METHEDOLOGY ADOPTED
1 pH Electrometric method
2 Electrical conductivity Water quality analyzer
3 Total dissolved solids Water quality analyzer
4 Alkalinity Acid base titration
5 Coliform Most probable number method

9. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

10. SPRING INVENTORY DATA SHEET
Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 01
Name : Mankulam
Area : Moonekar
Village : Karimba
Landmark : Chulliyamgulam
Latitude : 10° 55’ 41.26” N
Longitude : 76° 34’ 2.12 ” E
Elevation : 397.8m
(with GPS)
Discharge : 8LPM
Diameter of the pipe : ½ inch
Land ownership : This is a private property.
Type of spring : Fracture spring
Seasonality of spring: Perennial

11.  Number of people depending on spring water: At present 3
families are mainly depending on spring water this is mainly
used for drinking purposes.
 Land use around the spring: The main plantations that is covered
around the region i.e the lower landuse area is rubber, cocconut,
coffee, arecanut. And the upper region is covered by forest.

12.  Most common animal species found around the region:
Elephant,Deer, Leapord, Wild Ox, Monkey, Snakes, Leopard,
babbler ,koel, parrot,myna, sparrow, Monarch butterfly ,Common
jezebel.
 From the PRA conducted(enclosed in Annexure 1) it is noticed
that Barking Deer an animal which became extinct from past few
years.
 Wild animal like elephant creates a major conflict that the
common people are not able to collect the spring water from the
pipes because these elephants destroy the connection pipes and
people are in trouble and they are unable to use the water.

13. Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 02
Name : Maruthuamkadu
Area : kalamkunnu mundanadu
Colony
Village : Palakkayam village
Landmark : Marathumkadu
U.P school
Latitude :10°55’.1.14” N
Longitude : 76°33’0.76” E
Elevation : 123.4 m
Discharge : 7 LPM
Diameter of the pipe : ¼ Inch pipe
Type of spring : Contact spring
Seasonality of the spring : Perennial

14. Ownership : Government property.
Number of families depending on spring water: at present 6 families are using
this water for all purpose like drinking,irrigation
THREATS THAT IS OBSERVED IN THIS REGION.
• Active quarrying is one of the leading environmental problem that are faced
by the common people.Quarrying has started 25 years ago there are no legal
policies framed to stop this quarry .
• A large mountain is completely destroyed due to quarry . Families who are
staying in this locality are facing many problems .Most of the houses which
are constructed were completely destroyed and many people were injured
due to falling of asbestos sheet when quarrying was taking place.The injured
people were not given treatment facilities by the panchayath..

15. • 15-16 houses are present around this quarry most of the people
shifted there house to relief camps.
• legal actions were not taken by the government to stop this
quarry.

16. RECOMMENDATIONS.
• Environmental clearance should be given by the authorities
• Quarrying has become a major threat in this locality.Legal steps
should be taken for regulating the quarrying.

17. Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 03
Name : Parakuzhi
Area : Vakkodu Colony
Village : Karimba
Landmark : Chulliyampali
Latitude : 10°54’ 56.7”N
Longitude : 76°32’ 9.97”E
Elevation : 124.6 m
Ownership : Private property
Seasonality of the spring : Perennial
Type of spring: Fracture spring

18. • 1 year before the water was used by people at present no body
is using the water.
• In this area,rubber is cultivated from the last 15-20 years
,recently the rubber cultivation is changed to pineapple
cultivation.This process is repeated at certain intervals of time.
• Landslide occured in this region during the floods and this has
become a threat in that region. .
• 1 year before the water was used by people but now no one is
using.

19. Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 04
Name : Vakkodu
Area : Vakkodu
Village : Karimba
Landmark : chulliyampalli
Lattitude : 10°54’ 7.42”N
Longitude : 76° 32’ 9.83”E
Elevation : 89.2m
Ownership : Private property
Seasonality of the spring: Perennial
Type of spring : Fracture spring

20. • The main landuse covering the lower region is rubber plantation.
• At 2018 heavy flood occured in this locality causing landslide
has lead a major problem .The spring in this region is in partially
damaged condition.
• This water is not used from the last one year.

21. Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 05
Name : Kallamkunnu
Area : Moonnekar
Village : Karimba
Landmark : Anakallu Quarry
Lattitude : 10°55’ 30.75”N
Longitude : 76°33’26.49”E
Elevation : 320 m
Ownership : Private property.
Discharge : 2 ½ LPM
Diameter of the pipe: ½ inch
Seasonality of the spring: Perennial

22. • Number of families depending on spring water: From past 42
years only 1 family is using spring water for all there purposes.
This area belongs to Karimba plantations.
• Man-Animal conflict is experienced in this area, wild pigs travel
at night and break the connection pipes and people are unable to
store the water in their tanks.
• : Most common animal species found around the region: wild
pigs, elephant,deer, wild ox are some of the species found.
• Landuse: lower region is covered by different planations mainly
coocunt,nutmeg,bannana,rubber,arecanut,mango and upper
region is covered by forest.

23. Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 06
Name : Kariyatti
Area : Moonnekar
Village : Karimba
Landmark : Chulliyanpalli
Lattitude : 10°55’42.55”N
Longitude : 76°33’56.78”E
Discharge : 10 LPM
Elevation : 208.6 m
Diameter of the pipe: 1 ¼ inch
Ownership : Private property
Seasonality of the spring: Perennial
Type of spring : Depression spring

24. • Number of families depending on spring water:Only one
family is using the water for all purposes from past 10 years.
Family who are living in this area have no other source of
water they mainly depend on spring water.

25. Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 07
Name : Cherumala
Area : Kallumthodu
Village : Karimba
Landmark : Chulliyanpalli
Lattitude : 10°54’45.4”N
Longitude : 76°33’49.9”E
Ownership : Forest land
Seasonality of the spring: Perennial.
• A spring box is present in which the water is collected and
stored

26. Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 09
Name : Marathamkaadu
Area : Kallamkunnu
Village : Palakkayam
Landmark :Marathumkkad U.P School
Lattitude : 10°55’52.19”N
Longitude : 76°32’24.93”E
Elevation : 218.8m
Ownership : Private property
Discharge : 6 ½ LPM
Type of spring: fracture spring

27. Diameter of the pipe: ½ Inch pipe
Number of families depending on spring water: at present only 1
family is using the water that is only used for domestic purpose.
In this region no cultivation is done.

28. Spring ID : Ke Ma Ka 10
Name : Kurumugham
Area : Karimala
Village : Karimba
Landmark : Moonnekar church
Lattitude : 10°55’42.24”N
Longitude : 76°34’7.31”E
Elevation : 210.6
Seasonality of the spring: Seasonal
Type of spring : Depression spring
Ownership : Private property

29. WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS OF SPRING SAMPLES
SPRING ID pH Electrical
conductivity
Total
dissolv
ed
solids
Alkalinit
y
Colifor
m
Ke Ma Ka 28 8.05 90.44 50.18 45 74
Ke Ma Ka 26 7.79 51.37 43.20 25 240
Ke Ma Ka 24 7.92 54.09 31.57 30 23
Ke Ma Ka 18 8.06 58.40 33.80 32 96
Ke Ma Ka 17 6.0 51.31 28.32 25 1100
Ke Ma Ka 11 8.23 94.1 55.66 50 23
Ke Ma Ka 08 7.92 45.95 26.82 25 120
Ke Ma Ka 06 7.82 69.48 39.71 35 67
Ke Ma Ka 03 7.97 76.15 41.83 40 480
Ke Ma Ka 01 7.85 82.98 46.55 43 250

30.  Majority of samples have Ph range within the desirable limit.
 Ke Ma Ka 17 Ph is less than the permissible limit but the Ph is
also close to neutral level.
 TDS is within the permissible limit.
 Alkalinity is permissibile within the limit.
 Electrical conductivity is higher in Ke Ma Ka 11(94.1) and low
conductivity in Ke Ma Ka 08 (45.95).
 Coliform bacteria is higher in Ke Ma Ka 17 (1100) and the
water is not potable to drink.

31. Consolidated data sheet of Spring Inventory
Sl
No
Spring ID Name Latitude Longitude Elevation Ownership
Seasonal /
Perennial
Type of
spring
Use of water
No.of families
depending
Any
environmental
issues faced
1 Ke Ma Ka 01 MANKULAM 10° 55’ 41.26” N 76° 34’ 2.12”E 397.8 m Private Perennial Fracture Drinking 3 No issues
2 Ke Ma Ka 02 MOONEKAR 10° 55’ 67.6” N 76° 33’ 89.7” E 105.8 m Private Perennial Fracture Irrigation 1 -
3 Ke Ma Ka 03 MARUTHUAMKADU 10° 55’.1.14”N 76°33’0.76”E 123.4 m Government Perennial Contact Drinking & irrigation 6 Quarrying
4 Ke Ma Ka 04 MARUTHAMKADU 10° 55’ 1.14” N 76°33.1565”E 300.3 m Government Perennial Contact Drinking - -
5 Ke Ma Ka 05 MARUTHAMKADU 10°55’24.11”N 76°32’43.11”E 361.7 m Government Perennial Depression Irrigation - -
6 Ke Ma Ka 06 MARATHAMKADU 10°55’52.19”N 76°32’24.93”E 218.8m Private Perennial Fracture Domestic - -
7 Ke Ma Ka 07 KALLADIKODUMALA 10°54’2.69”N 76°33’ 3.85”E 306.4 m Government Perennial Fracture Domestic - -
8 Ke Ma Ka 08 KALLADIKODUMALA 10°54’3.20”N 76°33’3.85”E 380.5 m Government Perennial Fracture Domestic 18 -
9 Ke Ma Ka 09 PARAKUZHI 10°54’56.7”N 76°32’ 9.97”E 124.6 m Private Perennial Fracture - - -
10 Ke Ma Ka 10 VAKKODU 10°54’ 7.42”N 76°32’ 9.83”E 89.2 m Private Perennial Fracture - - land slide threat
11 Ke Ma Ka 11 KALLAMKUNNU 10°55’ 29”N 76°33’ 17”E 175 m Private Perennial Fracture Drinking - -
12 Ke Ma Ka 12 KALLAMKUNNU 10°55’ 30.75”N 76°33’ 26.49”E 320 m Private Perennial Fracture Domestic - -
13 Ke Ma Ka 13 KALLAMKUNNU 10°55’ 27”N 76°33’ 14”E 357 m Forest land Perennial Fracture - - -
14 Ke Ma Ka 14 KALLAMKUNNU 10°55’24”N 76°33’ 10”E 102 m Private Perennial Fracture - - -
15 Ke Ma Ka 15 KALLAMKUNNU 10°55’ 32.43”N 76°33’ 24.15”E 250 m Private Perennial Depression Irrigation - -
16 Ke Ma Ka 16 KARIYATTI 10°55’ 31.98”N 76°33’ 47.08”E 309.1 m Private Perennial Fracture Drinking 4 -
17 Ke Ma Ka 17 KARIYATTI 10°55’ 42.55”N 76°33’ 56.78”E 208.6 m Private Perennial Depression Domestic 1 -
18 Ke Ma Ka 18 CHERUMALA 10°54’ 49.4”N 76°33’ 48.0”E 193 m Private Perennial Fracture Domestic 8 -
19 Ke Ma Ka 19 CHERUMALA 10°54’ 49.4”N 76°33’ 48.0”E 198 m Private Perennial Fracture Domestic and irrigation 1 -
20 Ke Ma Ka 20 CHERUMALA 10°54’ 46.4”N 76°33’ 47.1”E 209 m Private Perennial Contact Irrigation 1 -
21 Ke Ma Ka 21 CHERUMALA 10°54’45.4”N 76°33’ 49.9”E 200 m Forest land Perennial Spring box - - -
22 Ke Ma Ka 22 CHERUMALA 10°54’ 39”N 76°33’ 10”E 156 m Private Perennial Fracture Irrigation 4 -
23 Ke Ma Ka 23 CHERUMALA 10°55’ 38”N 76°32’ 10”E 320.1 m Private Perennial Contact Domestic 6 -
24 Ke Ma Ka 24 CHERUMALA 10°55’ 23.53”N 76°34’ 16.23”E 245.8 m Private Perennial Contact Nobody - -
25 Ke Ma Ka 25 CHERUMALA 10°55’ 3”N 76°32’ 44”E 300.2 m Private Perennial Contact - - -
26 Ke Ma Ka 26
THUDUKKADU
COLONY
10°54’48.42”N 76°34’8.17”E 210.6 m Private Perennial Fracture Domestic 1 -
27 Ke Ma Ka 27 MANALATHODU 10°55’23.61”N 76°34’16.61”E 279.2 m Private Perennial Fracture Nobody - -
28 Ke Ma Ka 28 MANALATHODU 10°55’28.62”N 767°34’ 15.87”E 164.2 Private Perennial Fracture Domestic 1 -
29 Ke Ma Ka 29 MANALATHODU 10°55’37”N 76°32’12”E 390 m Forest land Perennial - - -
30 Ke Ma Ka 30 KURUMUGHAM 10°55’40.57”N 76°34’5.04”E 135.9 m Private Perennial Depression Domestic 6 -
31 Ke Ma Ka 31 KURUMUGHAM 10°55’35.39”N 76°34’5.99”E 260 m Private Perennial Depression Nobody - -
32 Ke Ma Ka 32 KURUMUGHAM 10°55’36.5”N 76°33’59.12”E 220.3 m Private Perennial Depression Nobody - -
33 Ke Ma Ka 33 KURUMUGHAM 10°55’42.24”N 76°34’7.31”E 210.6 m Private Seasonal Depression Nobody - -
34 Ke Ma Ka 34 KURUMUGHAM 10°55’46.58”N 76°34’4.96”E 239.2 m Private Perennial Nobody - -
35 Ke Ma Ka 35 KURUMUGHAM 10°55’39.32”N 76°33’48.08”E 262.4 m Private Perennial Fracture Nobody - -

32. CONCLUSION
• The present study deals with the inventory of springs in
Karimba Panchayath. Inventory of 35 springs were done in the
study area and 34 springs were found to be perennial and only 1
spring was identified as seasonal
• The inventory of springs is very essential as a first step towards
analyzing water usage, keep track of land usage, analyzing the
trend of water abundance and adopting further scientific
conservative measures to protect the precious resource.
• There are 35 families in the study area directly dependent on
spring water as a major source for drinking and domestic
purposes.

33. • Discharge was noted throughout the study there may be decline in
the discharge if unfavorable natural conditions like precipitation
is insufficient, rate of evaporation decreases, adverse climate
change etc.
• The landuse around the spring shows a variety of forest,
plantation, agricultural field, mixed vegetation. The water quality
parameters were analyzed and the results showed that the spring
water is potable to drink and except in 2 samples coliform
bacteria level was observed to be high.
• Further studies are necessary that more springs can be present in
the study area . Springs should be located, mapped and analyzed.
• Thorough environmental impact study must be conducted and the
quarrying is to be regulated that is observed from the study area.

34. THANK YOU

35. PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL
1. Name of the spring :
2. Spring Location :
3. Name of the village:
4. Landuse around the spring location:
5. Geographic location using GPS:(Latitude), (Longitude)
6. Elevation from MSL:
7. Ownership: Private/Govt land/Forest land:
8. Type of spring: Depression/Contact/Fracture
9. Seasonality of the spring: Seasonal/Perennial
10. How many months water is available?
11. Discharge in LPM
12. Climatic conditions of that area?
13. Number of families depending on spring water:Purpose : Drinking/Agricultural.
14. Change in availability of water in the last 3 decades:
15. Is there any change in availability of water from the spring:?
16. Any quarries are operating above the spring location or below?
17. Drilled borewells?Yes/No
18. Did you noticed any kind of species (Flora or fanuna) that became extinct in the nearby area?
19. Whether any conflicts experienced in utilizing spring water?
20. Deforestation is happened or not? If yes, give details (Quarrying/ Construction/Conversion to
agricultural land).
21. Whether spring boxes constructed for collecting water?
22. Any chance of contamination of spring water? If yes, Give details of contamination