Geospatial technology in groundwater recharge potential assessment using multi-criteria decision-making approach

Many regions in India and worldwide are currently grappling with or have experienced water crises, primarily due to frequent droughts, expanding agricultural land, and excessive groundwater abstraction. The primary objective of present study is to map groundwater recharge (GWR) potential in hard rock-dominated terrain. The approach involves an ensemble of techniques, combining an integrated analytic hierarchy process with the geographic information system. Various hydrogeological and groundwater-controlling factors, including geology, slope, geomorphology, depth to water level, soil types, normalized difference vegetation index, land use/land cover and drainage density were mapped and assessed using satellite data and field verification. The methodology was applied in the Chhindwara region in the southern part of Madhya Pradesh, India, where the geological composition is predominantly hard rocks. The outcomes of this study can be utilized for GWR potential mapping, land-use planning, rainwater harvesting and formulating groundwater development plans.