Identification of groundwater resource zone in the active tectonic region of Himalaya through earth observatory techniques

Abstract

The delineation of the groundwater resource (GWR) zone is one of the challenging tasks for the research domain of hydrogeologists and decision makers. In this study, thematic inventory of existing ancillary data and remotely sensed data sets were used for targeting the GWR zones at microscale. Different geology, geomorphological and hydrological parameters thematic layers have been prepared to determine the groundwater resources zones. Further, GWR zones were validated with the results carried out by the resistivity imaging tomography data. Wenner, Dipole-Dipole and Pole-Dipole array methods, portraying six electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) characterised by 40 electrodes channels was used for geophysical analysis. The study result discovers two aquifer pockets in perched condition, in good association with hydrogeomorphological variables. To enhance the groundwater supply in study area a few recharged pits and trenches are being suggested for immediate construction in the upper reaches of the JNV campus. Thus the search for a suitable location of groundwater source in the small basin located at active tectonic area of the Lesser Himalaya i.e., Simar watershed (covering 4.62 Km2) was carried out as stated by the result of geospatial analysis, showing two strong accumulations cum recharging pockets located in the NNW portion of JNV campus, which are big source of groundwater, further validated by the 2-D resistivity as high potential groundwater zone.