Hydrological Environment and Prospects of a Semi-Arid Region: A Case Study of Gwalior, India

Abstract

With rapidly growing water demand, arid and semi-arid regions face severe water shortages. The study district, Gwalior, is considered to be one of the vulnerable semi-arid districts in India. Due to the expansion of the city towards its surroundings within the plinth area of the city, low and declining vegetation cover and less precipitation, the district has faced extreme water scarcity in recent decades. Under extreme conditions, villagers in the Gwalior district are forced to temporarily move closer to the nearby river Chambal to fulfil their drinking water needs and support their livestock. This study is an investigation into the environmental conditions of Gwalior, mainly focusing on its hydrology. Methods such as the preparation of base maps from different satellite images and other conventional data sources and GIS techniques for interpretation have been used in the study. The database has been designed based on research gaps, and suggestions have been given based on the conceptual data model. Some suggestions proposed by the study are water conservation at the household level, rainwater harvesting and environmental awareness, maintenance of underground drains and construction of new drains to prevent contamination of the water used for domestic purposes. .