Urban environment and sustainable water supply: a comprehensive analysis of Darjeeling city, India

Koner, Kaberi; Samanta, Gopa

doi:10.1007/s10668-021-01396-y

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…After critically assessing the present waterscapes of the city, the article argues for joint management strategy to revive the springs considering the city's socio-physical nature, which includes effective community participation in managing and protecting the springs in and around the city, as the users have more indigenous knowledge about and attachments with the local environment (Chakraborty 2018; Koner and Samanta 2021b). In this regard, Swyngedouw (2005) stated, 'Neoliberalisation of water governance has in many cases limited the ability of the urban poor to participate in the management of the water resources they need on a daily basis'.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Where does water go’? A critical analysis of nature of water crisis in Darjeeling city, India

Koner

Samanta

2021

Appl Water Sci

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Water crisis is such a phenomenon that almost every city experiences to some extent these days. Nature, dimensions, and impact of the crisis vary based on spatial diversity. This article attempts to critically analyse the nature of water crisis and to find out the reasons behind such crisis in Darjeeling city. The city’s public water supply is mainly controlled by the municipal authority, and water is supplied from the Senchal lakes. The centralised system, developed by the British in the early nineteenth century, is not sufficient for the entire city at present, and not affordable for all classes as well. Primarily the scarcity emerged due to the city’s population growth, and the city’s changing commercial nature, especially the booming tourism sector. And the age-old water infrastructure cannot cope with the fast-growing demand for water. Moreover, still now municipal authority does not consider a large number of transitory population, while calculating the water demand. Massive gap exists between the actual water scarcity observed in the field and the scarcity shown in the official data. Therefore, a reconsideration of municipal water budget is required to manage water resources and services sustainably. Using both the quantitative and qualitative methods, this empirical study critically assesses the existing gap between demand and supply, and also explores the process of illegal flow of water thus making the scarcity even more intense. It argues for fair and active water governance to minimise the demand–supply gap, and active community participation to ensure water justice to the commons.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Where does water go’? A critical analysis of nature of water crisis in Darjeeling city, India

Koner

Samanta

2021

Appl Water Sci

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“…Five indicators were selected to assess this aspect: availability of spring water, in‐house water supply, latrine facilities, access to electricity, and bathroom facilities . The presence of spring water sources in the Darjeeling region ensures a dependable and sustainable water supply (Koner & Samanta, 2021) while having water available within the premises guarantees convenient access for daily needs. In‐house bathroom facilities contribute to improved sanitation and personal hygiene practices that foster a healthier living environment.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The establishment of Darjeeling Municipality by the British government in 1850 bestowed upon it the distinction of being one of India's oldest municipalities. Encompassing 32 yards alongside two cantonments—Lebong in the north and Jalapahar in the south—this city occupies a remarkable position on ‘Y’‐shaped spurs extending northeastwardly and northwestwardly from Ghoom Mountain (Figure 1) (Koner & Samanta, 2021). The selection of Darjeeling as the study area for evaluating the UHWI is driven by several compelling factors.…”

Section: Study Area and Rationale For Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The unique topography characterized by steep slopes and varying elevations necessitates specialized building techniques and materials, rendering the assessment of housing quality particularly pertinent. Additionally, these areas often contend with resource constraints, resulting in notable spatial disparities in service access, necessitating an intricate spatial analysis approach (Mell & Sturzaker, 2014; Koner & Samanta, 2021). Secondly, the influence of tourism on urban development in Darjeeling introduces complexity to the housing landscape.…”

Section: Study Area and Rationale For Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The present study on the urban centre of hilly Darjeeling introduces a distinctive dimension to spatial analysis, setting it apart from studies conducted in plain areas. Primarily, the topographic variation in Darjeeling town introduces inherent challenges and opportunities that significantly impact housing conditions and well‐being of inhabitants (Mell & Sturzaker, 2014; Koner & Samanta, 2021). Unlike the level terrain of urban areas, the hilly terrains of Darjeeling municipality exhibit a complex and rugged topography characterized by steep slopes and varying elevations.…”

Section: Composite Uhwi and Its Determining Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hilly terrain and housing wellness: Geo‐visualizing spatial dynamics of urban household quality in the Himalayan town of Darjeeling, India

Roy,

Majumder,

Bose

et al. 2024

Singap J Trop Geogr

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Darjeeling, renowned as the ‘Queen of the Himalayas’, is one of the high‐altitude towns in India, distinguished by its exceptional topography and picturesque landscape. Given the challenges posed by limited land availability, susceptibility to natural hazards, and the need for context‐specific housing interventions in such hilly terrains, understanding housing conditions becomes paramount. Thus, this research explores the spatial patterns and heterogeneity of urban housing wellness in Darjeeling's hilly urban centre. A comprehensive assessment was conducted utilizing 15 key indicators. Three principal indices were formulated: Residence Quality, Residence Essential Services, and Residence Asset & Possession, culminating in the Urban Housing Wellness Index (UHWI). The index construction employed the Geographically Weighted Principle Component Analysis (GWPCA) technique. In further analysis, Univariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) were used to determine clustering and spatial dependence, while Moran's I was utilized to gauge the spatial autocorrelation of housing conditions. A notable clustering pattern and spatial autocorrelation was observed in the urban housing wellness of the study area. The present study offers novel insights into the intricate dynamics of housing conditions in unique hilly terrains.

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Water Security and Spring Conservation in the Himalaya

Kumar

Rathod²,

Mukherji

2023

Palgrave Studies in Climate Resilient Societies

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Urban environment and sustainable water supply: a comprehensive analysis of Darjeeling city, India

Cited by 7 publications

References 40 publications

‘Where does water go’? A critical analysis of nature of water crisis in Darjeeling city, India

‘Where does water go’? A critical analysis of nature of water crisis in Darjeeling city, India

Hilly terrain and housing wellness: Geo‐visualizing spatial dynamics of urban household quality in the Himalayan town of Darjeeling, India

Water Security and Spring Conservation in the Himalaya

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