Author(s): Akansha Tyagi; Vikas Kumar Maurya
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: GWPZ; Remote Sensing; GIS; AHP; Nilgiris district
Abstract: Water is an essential natural resource, especially in regions facing increasing compound water scarcity due to impervious hard rock geology, hilly terrain, overpopulation, and climate change. Sustainable groundwater management is essential for ensuring equitable water supply for future generations. This study aims to delineate groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, India, by integrated remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and applying a multi-criteria decision-making approach using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Six thematic layers -- geology, geomorphology, lineament density, drainage density, slope, and rainfall were integrated for delineating groundwater potential zones (GWPZ). RS and GIS tools, including QGIS and Sentinel-2, SRTM-30m data, were utilized for spatial analysis, while AHP provided a statistical model for decision-making. The study area was classified into five zones: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low groundwater potential zones. The results give a modern approach for delineating GWPZ, providing crucial information for efficient water resource management and sustainable development in the region.
Year: 2024