Landuse and groundwater relationship using an integrated remote sensing and GIS approach- a study in Darakeshwar, West Bengal

This paper from the GIS Development site has been conducted in Darakeshwar, in Purulia district of West Bengal. The objectives of the study were:

1. To develop an integrated remote sensing and GIS technique to establish and evaluate the relationship between landuse and groundwater hydrology
2. To identify factors influencing this relationship and their role in controlling the groundwater scenario of the study area
3. To evaluate the nature of changes in selected landuse categories
4. To have a quantitative assessment of groundwater recharge
5. To delineate the groundwater potential zones in the area
6. To suggest suitable sites for artificial recharge to augment groundwater in the study area.

The study outcomes included:

1. In this study, an integrated remote sensing and GIS technique was developed for evaluating landuse-groundwater relationship.
2. The present study  demonstrated that the change in landuse was mainly due to the hydrological factors.
3. Weighted index overlay model was found to be very useful in delineating groundwater prospective zones.