Delineation of the Groundwater Potential Using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case Study of Ulhas Basin, Maharashtra, India

Abstract Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resources which is essential for the environmental, biological and socio-economic activities. The present paper aims to delineate groundwater potential of Ulhas basin in India through remote sensing and geographical information system. Several groundwater influencing factors such as geology, geomorphology, slope, landuse, rainfall, lineaments are mapped in GIS environment. Later, these factors were ranked on the basis of their influence on the groundwater potential of a region. After that all these factors were integrated together in GIS environment to prepare the groundwater potential map of Ulhas basin. By implementing influencing factor, it is observed that about 21%, 50% and 29% areas are falling under high, moderate, and low groundwater potential zones, correspondingly. The present study is highly valuable to the policymakers, administrative bodies, engineers for management of groundwater and preparing sustainable water resource plans in Ulhas basin. Additionally, the present paper will help to construct artificial groundwater recharge plan in the study area.