Theme 2-1-Delineation of ground water table zones in the Tarai belt of North West Uttar Pradesh using remotely sensed data and their relationship with soils

Abstract

The Tarai belt of North West Uttar Pradesh is being intensively used for agriculture and is known for high water table conditions. The need of ground water table and soil information is of much importance in crop selection, field management and in providing an efficient drainage system. To harvest ground water judiciously, it is important to find out different ground water table zones for their utilization in a planned and scientific manner. Recently, remote sensing has emerged as a powerful modern technology for the survey, assessment and monitoring of the natural resources.

Keeping it in view, the present study was undertaken to identify different water table zones in the Tarai area of Udham Singh Nagar district using remote sensing data. By superimposing the soil map with ground water table depth information, a total of four soil cum ground water table associations were identified. These are (i). water table within 1.4 m from ground surface with poorly drained clay loam soils, (ii). water table depth between 1.4 m and 3.0 m with imperfectly drained silty clay loam soils, (iii). water table between 3.0 m and 3.5 m with moderately well drained loamy soils, and (iv). water table depth more than 3.5 m from ground surface with well drained sandy loam soils. It was found that ground water table remained shallow in heavy textured soils due to local physiography and poor profile drainage as compared to light textured soils. It reveals that IRS LISS II F.C.C. data are quite useful in delineation of ground water table zones with thematic information. Shallow ground water table zones are found associated with heavy textured soils where as light textured soils are associated with deep water.