Assessing Suitable Groundwater Recharge Locations and Structures Using GIS Technique in a Semi-Arid Region

Abstract

Groundwater management is the continuous research problem in semi-arid regions of India especially in Telangana State. The observed phenomenon can be ascribed to a combination of climatic factors, such as erratic rainfall and soaring temperatures, along with human factors like large-scale cultivation of paddy crops using traditional methods and the extensive drilling of numerous bore wells. Few parts of Nalgonda revenue division in Telangana State are experiencing such conditions which pulled for the augmentation of groundwater resource by suggesting suitable artificial groundwater recharge structures by adopting geographical information system technique and Central Ground Water Board guidelines. Nala bunds, check dams and water absorption trenches are the appropriate recharge structures for the study area that were identified using drainage network, lineaments, slope and land use land cover. In conclusion, this study has proven the reliability of GIS technique when followed with proper guidelines is effective in finding the suitable groundwater recharge structures.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

Recharge structures play a key role in groundwater replenishment by enabling the percolation of surface water, such as rainwater or river water, into the subsurface (Kumar et al., 2008; Madhnure et al., 2016). They also contribute to controlling surface runoff and preventing soil erosion. GIS technique enables for the spatial analysis of groundwater recharge locations in the research unit. Haphazard urbanization, unpredictable rainfall intensity, ascending temperatures, intensive groundwater extraction, violation of policy norms for bore well drilling, disregard for efficient agricultural water management practices and inadequate soil and vegetation cover are contributing factors to groundwater exhaustion in the semi-arid regions of the Deccan plateau. The aforementioned conditions are persisting in Nalgonda revenue division of Nalgonda District. So, a comprehensive approach is required to address groundwater depletion, and achieving effective recharge can be realized by integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) technology with the guidelines (2007) provided by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to propose artificial recharge structures.

Several researchers have followed, adopted, and customized various methods for selecting relevant groundwater recharge structures (Shankar & Mohan, 2005; Al-Adamat et al., 2010; Ahmad, 2013; Chilukuri et al., 2021; Mati et al., 2006). The objective of this research study is to evaluate appropriate recharge locations and structures necessary for enhancing the groundwater recharge rate. Proposing recharge structures is a proactive approach to establish long-term water security (Kota et al., 2017).

II. STUDY AREA

The periodic water stress conditions, resulting from uneven rainfall, rising temperatures, non-perennial Kanagal River, and burgeoning population, have collectively driven the exploitation of groundwater resources in the research area. This has positioned the area as a focal zone for addressing the water crisis. Figure 1 displays the study area, that is located in the central portion of Nalgonda Revenue Division in Nalgonda District, Telangana state, and is defined by longitudes ranging from 78°56'43.862"E to 79°7'23.649"E and latitudes ranging from 17°17'1.143"N to 17°0'15.565"N.It envelops an area of 419 sq.km andis located 20 km distant from the district headquarters of Nalgonda, namely Nalgonda Town. It experiences hot semi-arid climate. The complex lithology, constituting hard rocks such as granites and gneisses, along with shallow aquifers in the region inhibits the groundwater replenishment. Pediplain covers the vast portion with pediments, residual hills and dykes interspersed in the northern territory and flood plains in the southern territory.

III. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

Sentinel-2Asatellite image (https://dataspace.copernicus.eu/) of 10m resolution was utilized for preparing land use land cover map. Cartosat-1 CartoDEMv3 available in the ISRO’s Bhuvan portal (https://bhuvan-app3.nrsc.gov.in/data/download/index.php) facilitated in generating the stream orders using hydrology tools and slope categories by slope tool of ArcGIS 10.2 software. Lineaments layer that is readily available in Geological Survey of IndiaBhukosh portal (https://bhukosh.gsi.gov.in/Bhukosh/MapViewer.aspx) was downloaded and added as input in ArcGIS 10.2 software. Supervised and unsupervised classification of digital image processing techniques was performed to delineate the five classes of land use land cover viz., water bodies, built-up, vegetation, agricultural land and barren/scrub land using ERDAS IMAGINE 2014 software.The land use land cover map was integrated with the slope, lineaments, and stream order layers created in ArcGIS 10.2 software.All layers were standardized to the UTM zone 44N projection for conducting spatial analysis using the Boolean logic principle, in accordance with CGWB guidelines (2007).

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Slope, land use land cover, lineaments, and stream orders are crucial factors in substantiating the selection of groundwater recharge locations and structures. Therefore, understanding these factors is of paramount importance.

A. Geographical Analysis of Influencing Factors

1) Land Use Land Cover

The natural and artificial features such as waterbodies, forest, barren land, built-up and agricultural land has certain influence on the rate of the natural groundwater recharge (Scanlon et al., 2005; Lerner & Harris, 2009). The vast and extensive land area, as depicted in Figure 2 and covering 400.30 km2, is utilized for agricultural practices, considering that agriculture farming is the primary occupation of the population.

Conclusion

Sustainable groundwater management, facilitated by structures such as water absorption trenches, nala bunds, and check dams, plays a crucial role in maintaining agricultural productivity, supporting livelihoods, and ensuring access to clean water for various uses.In the research area, these recharge structures constitute essential elements of successful groundwater management strategies, fostering sustainability, resilience, and responsible utilization of this crucial water resource. This method can be applied across diverse geographical conditions to efficiently identify appropriate artificial recharge structures and their corresponding locations within a short time frame.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2023 Jangam Satish, Dr. Kavita Toran. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.