Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques for Groundwater Potential Zones Mapping: A Review and Methodological Framework

Abstract

Agriculture, being India's primary industry, faces escalating water demands amidst depleting groundwater levels. Groundwater remains a crucial source contributing to the yearly water supply. In today's era of advanced technology, agriculture leverages innovations like robotic equipment, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance productivity. Remote sensing facilitates the acquisition of data from regions inaccessible for regular monitoring. GIS complements this by generating precise maps that effectively visualize the data gathered through remote sensing techniques.This article explores various methodologies for identifying groundwater potential zones using remote sensing and GIS. Mapping groundwater zones involving integrating multiple parameters such as soil characteristics, drainage density, land use/cover, geology, geomorphology, rainfall patterns, slope, and contour details are also discussed asparameters in delineating areas with varying groundwater potentials.The process utilizes both traditional and advanced techniques, incorporating additional data sources and satellite imagery. These methods involve analysing thematic layers to assess groundwater potential across a region. Each thematic layer is assigned weights and importance based on its relevance to groundwater conditions. By integrating and analysing these layers, the study aims to pinpoint areas suitable for groundwater extraction.Ultimately, this approach facilitates the identification of optimal locations for accessing groundwater resources, leveraging comprehensive spatial data to inform sustainable water management strategies.