RS, GIS and MCDM technique based approach for groundwater planning and development in Latur district of Maharashtra in India.

Abstract

Increased as well as the unsustainable use of groundwater resource for various needs, has resulted in over-exploitation and the consequent decline in the water table. Latur district of Maharashtra state in India is facing severe water shortages for both irrigation and domestic purposes from the past few years which resulted in frequent droughts. The present study was carried out to demonstrate a scientific approach integrating RS, GIS and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques for groundwater development of Latur district. Groundwater potential zones and artificial recharge zones were delineated and favourable sites for placing recharge structures were identified for sustainable groundwater management. Thematic layers of slope, soil, drainage density, geomorphology, geology, land use/ land cover, proximity to surface water bodies, pre-monsoon groundwater depth, post-monsoon groundwater depth, and mean annual net groundwater recharge were generated using satellite and conventional data by using ArcGIS. These generated thematic layers were scrutinized based on their significant influence on groundwater occurrence by a multivariate technique called principal component analysis (PCA). Selected thematic layers and their features were assigned suitable weights on Saaty’s nine-point scale based on their relative influence on groundwater conditions and their normalized weights were obtained by Saaty’s analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and eigenvector technique. Selected thematic layers were finally integrated by weighted linear combination method to calculate groundwater potential index (GWPI) and groundwater recharge index (GWRI). Based on calculated GWPI, groundwater potential map was delineated into five distinct zones, namely ‘excellent’, ‘very good’, ‘good’, ‘moderate’, and ‘poor’.Similarly, based on calculated GWRI artificial groundwater recharge zones were delineated into four distinct zones, namely ‘very good’, ‘good’, ‘moderate’ and ‘poor’. Decision rules were framed by following the guidelines of integrated mission for sustainable development(IMSD), central ground water board (CGWB) and past literatures to identify 34 artificial groundwater recharge sites in the study area.