Abstract:
Groundwater being an important component of the hydrological cycle,
estimation of its annual replenishment is essential to evolve a plan for optimum
utilization. Groundwater balance approach, which is used extensively for the quantification
of recharge and discharge components has been adopted for the rainfallrecharge
estimation. Various inflow and outflow components have been identified
and estimated for Sagar block in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, which faces
acute water scarcity and continuous decline in groundwater levels. The computed recharge
from rainfall varies between 122.45 and 183.71 MCM. The computed rainfallrecharge
is compared with the Chaturvedi (1973), Kumar and Seethapathi (2002),
Krishna (1987), and U.P. Irrigation Research Institute models. Models have also
been developed to estimate rainfall-recharge for varying ranges of the annual rainfall
and have been compared with the existing models. The relative error in estimation of
rainfall-recharge from proposed models varies between 0.03 and 9.24%. The overall
scenario is net decline in groundwater storage to an extent of −31.31 MCM over a
period of 16 years from 1985–1986 to 2000–2001. The trend analysis by Kendall’s
rank correlation test, regression test for linear trend and Mann–Kendall test also
clearly suggests falling trends in groundwater storage at 5% significant level, thereby
demonstrating over-exploitation of the groundwater aquifer. This has subsequently
led to progressive decline in groundwater table in the study area. Efforts should be
initiated to tap the surface water by creating storages at suitable sites and artificial
recharge practices should be encouraged after identifying suitable recharge zones.
Conjunctive use of the surface and groundwater along with water conservation practices
and groundwater management measures should be taken up to arrest the progressive
decline in groundwater levels and over-exploitation of groundwater aquifer.
