Groundwater recharge quantification using multiproxy approaches in the agrarian region of Bundelkhand, central India

Abstract

Abstract The Bundelkhand region is one of the most important agricultural regions in central India, where increasing water demand has put tremendous pressure on groundwater resources. The groundwater is the primary source for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes in the Bundelkhand region. Here, we focus on the Jhansi district, located in the Bundelkhand region. The study area comes under the semi-arid zone and facing a variable climate condition that has been worsened due to the irregular rainfall. We have compiled numerous datasets such as; depth to water level record, rainfall, surface and subsurface water structures and satellite imagery from various sources. We have prepared spatial plots of groundwater levels using depth to water level data for 1996 and 2016. We have observed marked spatial variation in depth to water level maps during pre- and post-monsoon of 1996 and 2016. The time-series plot of groundwater levels shows both declining and rising trends between 1996 and 2016. We have also estimated groundwater abstraction and recharge during 2016 and correlated them with land use and land cover (LULC) activities and lithological units of the study area. The estimated net groundwater abstraction is about 50943\xa0ha\xa0m (ham) during 2016; show marked spatial variation. The estimated recharge for the Jhansi district is about 73464 ham during 2016, of which 63% is from irrigation return flow due to groundwater pumping, 17% from irrigation return due to surface water structures, and remaining from seepage from canal and surface water structures. Our results suggest that the groundwater recharge and abstraction are directly linked to the LULC and lithological units. In addition, results obtained from the present study suggest a ‘safe’ category of groundwater development stage for the Jhansi district during 2016, except for Mauranipur and Bangra blocks. Our results can also be useful for better groundwater resource development and sustainable management.