Identification of suitable sites and structures for artificial groundwater recharge for sustainable groundwater resource development and management

Artificial recharge is the process of augmentation of the natural infiltration of precipitation or surface water into aquifers by some methods of construction, spreading of water or by artificially changing natural conditions. Upper Betwa watershed, has been taken under study is a semi-arid region, part of Obedullahganj block, Raisen district, M.P., India. The area is hard rock terrain with rugged topography and varying geology. Long term analysis of groundwater level conducted by CGWB, Bhopal has shown sharp decline in groundwater level from past one decade. To increase the groundwater potential of the area, action plan for artificial groundwater recharge has been developed using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Survey of India toposheet no's 55 E/8, 55 E/12, 55 F/5 & 55 F/9, GSI, 2002 resource map, LANDSAT 8, and SRTM (DEM) satellite data and NBSS&LUP soil map were processed in ArcGIS to prepare the various thematic layers viz. Geology, geomorphology, topography, soil, land use/land cover, slope, lineament, drainage and drainage density. Sub-watershed wise action plan of the area has been developed for the area using these thematic layers following the criteria given by NRSA, 1995. In the action plan, development of water harvesting structures (Check dam, Nala bund, Contour bund, Gully plug etc.) were proposed. These structures will provide a measure of artificial recharge in this hard rock terrain by collecting of the surface runoff and increasing the surface area of infiltration. Further, the developed action plan addresses identification of sites for groundwater recharge, through the anticipated artificial recharge structures. Thus, it is suggested that execution of the proposed sub-watershed wise action plan will help in development and management of groundwater resources of the area. Excavation of the proposed structures at their suitable sites identified will enhance the groundwater recharge potential of the area.