DELINEATION OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL ZONES USING REMOTE SENSING / GIS TECHNIQUES AND ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP): A CASE STUDY

Abstract

A detailed analysis of Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZs) has been presented in this study employing Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for Seraikela-Kharsawan district of Jharkhand. Data was collected from diverse internet sources. Thematic layers were created using these variables to capture the nuances of elevation, slope, drainage density, land use, soil type, and rainfall, which determine groundwater potential. The groundwater potential zones of the district were classified into low, moderate, and high potential zones. Results of the study illustrates 53.92% area of the district falls under the Moderate zone, display varied groundwater levels that suggest a dynamic equilibrium between recharge and extraction processes. Low potential zones, covering 44.57% of the district, are characterized by deeper groundwater levels, with low NDVI and EVI values pointing towards ecological stress and highlighting the urgency for restorative measures. Despite comprising only 1.49% of the district, the high-potential zones have shallow groundwater levels and high NDVI and EVI scores, which are indicative of thriving ecosystems surrounded by rich aquifers, suggesting sustainable development. Through the use of AHP, quantitatively analysis of the thematic layers, ensuring a robust, systematic, and weighted analysis was possible. The resulting maps spanning 1170.77 km² for low, 1416.31 km² for moderate, and 39.12 km² for high potential zones offer pivotal insights into the district's hydrogeological diversity.