10-Artificial Groundwater Recharge Planning in Northern Uttar Pradesh Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Abstract

The over-exploitation of ground water has become an acute problem in the agriculturally important states e.g. Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Over-exploitation of ground water leads to progressive lowering of water table and consequent decline in well yield due to increase in suction lift, drying of springs and dug wells etc. If attempts are not made to protect the future degradation of water table, the situation will be more critical in near future. Keeping it in view, the present study was conducted in Bijnore district of northern Uttar Pradesh, where the groundwater table is gradually declining. The contour map of the study area, prepared for variation of pre-monsoon water table during 20 years' period (1983-2002), showed that water declined by about 2 to 9 m in Haldaur, Nahtaur, Dhampur, Kotwali, Jaleelpur and Noorpur blocks of Bijnor district. In some parts of Nazibabad, Seohara and Noorpur blocks water table declined below 1 m. Post-monsoon water table depth variation during above mentioned 20 years' period was found to vary in the range of 2 to 4 m in Noorpur, Kotwali, Haldaur, Jaleelpur and Kiratpur blocks. On the basis of remote sensing data and GIS application, the study area was classified into four geomorphic units—Piedmont Plain (Upper Piedmont Plain P1, Lower Piedmont Plain P2 and Piedmont Plain P3), Young Flood Plain (YFP), Old Flood Plain (OFP-1, OFP-2 and OFP-3) and Fluvial Landforms. A number of geomorphic fluvial features such as palaeo-channels, natural levees, back swamp and channel scars were delineated which are potential sites for groundwater recharge. Recharge capability of each landform has been discussed in the paper in detail and accordingly an artificial groundwater recharge plan for the construction of different recharge structures for the study area has been prepared and discussed so that the declining water table in Bijnor district can be arrested at the desired level.