Multi-criteria decision analysis for groundwater potential zones delineation using geospatial tools and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Nand Samand Catchment, Rajasthan, India

Developing groundwater potential zones (GWPz) is important to determine the realistic groundwater availability scenario and to formulate plans for its optimal utilization to achieve groundwater sustainability. This investigation aimed to delineate GWPz in the Nand Samand Catchment, Rajasthan, India, utilizing an integrated method of remote sensing, geographic information system, and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The present study used ten thematic layers, viz., lineament density, well recharge, geomorphology, soil, topographic elevation, slope, rainfall, transmissivity, the post-monsoon water level in the well and land use/land cover for the GWPz delineation. The delineated GWPz in the research area were classified as 'good (G),' 'moderate (M),' 'poor (P)' and 'very poor (VP).' Results showed that 'good' GWPz constituted about 21.23% of the catchment area. The southeast area and small patches of the western side of the research area have 'moderate' groundwater potential, covering 53.18% of the total area. Approximately 23.77% area was found with poor GWPz. In the research area, 1.82% area represents very poor groundwater potential. In the present study, the GWPz map was validated using sixteen randomly selected wells yield data (liters per day), and an accuracy of 81.25% was found with the delineated GWPz map. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristics curve was also used for the validation, indicating a satisfactory accuracy prediction (AUC = 0.889). Validation by both methods justifies the efficiency of the AHP technique for the groundwater potential zoning. Finally, this work establishes a viable method for assessing the potential availability of groundwater, which will be helpful in the future for the planning and managing groundwater resources.