Multi criiteria analysis using GIS for ground water resource evaluation in Rawasen and Pili Watershed, U.P.
Sandeep Goyal*, R.S.Bharadwaj*, D.K.Jugran**
* Remote Sensing Applications Centre, Bhopal, M.P.
**
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun
Groundwater exploration is based upon terrain
characteristic alongwith lithology, landuse and other parameters. These thematic
information generated through remote sensing technique can be integrated in GIS
for evaluation of groundwater resources. In order to achieve the objective it is
essential to systematically organise the database and check out every
possibility of interthematic and interclass dependencies and variability
operating in nature. In the present study an attempt has been made to use Multi
Criteria Evaluation technique to evaluate the interclass and intermap
dependencies for ground water resource evaluation in Rawasen and Pili river
watershed, which are tributaries of Ganga. The individual class weights and map
scores were determined through this technique. These weights were applied in
linear summation equation to obtain a unified weight map containing due weights
of all input variables, which was further reclassified to arrive at groundwater
potential zone map.
After air, water is indispensable for mankind.
Groundwater is one of the prime sources of fresh water. Its exploration and
evaluation depends on various methods and criteria, geology, geomorphology,
slope etc. are the governing factors for the development of groundwater regime.
The information on the above can be acquired and integrated through various
techniques. In the present study an attempt has been made to use remote sensing,
geographical information system (GIS) and multi-criteria analysis of decision
support for evaluation of groundwater in watersheds of Rawasen and Pili rivers
which are the tributaries of Ganga.
Study Area
Rawasen and Pili watershed is located in lesser Himalayas with the
Ganga River as the western boundary and it lies between Haridwar and Kotdwara
towns. Garhwal hills form the northern boundary and the alluvial fans of river
Rawasen and Pili constitute the southern part. The watershed lies between
29° 45’ 48" to 30° 00’ 04" north latitudes and
78° 10’ 24" to 78° 29’ 34" east longitudes and
cover an area of approx. 500 sq. km. Administratively the study area falls in
Pauri-Garhwal and Haridwar districts of U.P. Climate of the area is sub-tropical
to temperate, which is generally controlled by the altitude and slope aspects.
The southern facing slopes exposed to sun are warmer than northern slopes. The
average annual rainfall is 1400 mm. In winter months the temperature ranges from
1.2° C to 12 ° C. Physiographically area can be divided into two major
units i.e. hilly region of lesser Himalayas and alluvial fans of Rawasen and
Pili rivers.
Material Used
The material used for the purpose of the above area comprises of Survey of India toposheet on 1:250,000 and 1:50,000 scales respectively covering sheets 53 J/8, K/1 & K/5. Aerial photographs on 1:60,000 scale numbering OC/960/51-7 to 11 and no. OC/960/52-5 to 30 and satellite images IRS-1B LISS II FCC Geocoded 53 J/8, K/1 and 53 K/5 were visually interpreted. Digital data on CD-ROM, IRS-1C LISS III BIL format 4 bands, band 2,3,4,5 path 97, row 50 dated 11.2.98 was also used. Decision support system for multi-criteria analysis software DEFINITE and ILWIS GIS software version 2.1 were used for analysis purpose. Auxiliary data such as rainfall data from north division Ganga Canal, Haridwar, UP and tube-well data, hand pump data from UP Jal Nigam, Haridwar and Meerut were incorporated for meaningful analysis.