Integrated Hydrogeological and Hydrochemical Studies in an Agri-horticulture Intensive Watershed at Narkhed, Nagpur, Maharashtra and Pandhurna, Chindwara, Madhya Pradesh - A Case Study from Central India

Abstract

The present study is an attempt to investigate the impact of intensive agriculture and horticulture activities on the hydrogeological and hydrochemical regime in a watershed in Central India. The study area covers 137 km2 and the land use land cover (LULC) study shows that 39.72% area is agri-horticulture land, and 29.78% of the land is covered with other vegetation. Groundwater budgeting is aimed to estimate stage of groundwater development and to examine the contribution of different competing users (domestic, agriculture and industries) on groundwater usage. The groundwater budgeting results show that the stage of groundwater development is 100.26%, thus the study area falls under the over-exploited category as per GEC 2015 norms. The groundwater quality indicates the elevated concentration of nitrate (>45 mg/L) in 41% samples of pre-monsoon season and 80% samples in the post-monsoon season. The elevated concentration of nitrate in groundwater samples of the post-monsoon season indicates the contamination due to the non-point sources like excessive use of fertilizers in horti-agriculture. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values indicate that groundwater is suitable for irrigation. However, physico-chemical water quality results show that 74% samples of pre-monsoon and 85% samples of the post-monsoon season are found unsuitable for drinking as compared to acceptable limits of drinking water specification BIS 10500:2012. The study area needs intervention measures both on the supply side and demand side to bring the development stage and water quality to safer limits. Long term mitigation strategies for the revival of the natural streams should also be adopted to increase water availability in the study area. Precision agriculture, promotion of organic farming, minimization of water use, soil amendments for soil moisture retention and prevention of the runoff must be included in the management practices to improve the health of the watershed and for the long term sustainability.

Impact of mining industries on the groundwater level fluctuation in Singrauli coalfield area by using remote sensing and GIS, India

“…The geological formation is the most crucial factor for delineating the groundwater level fluctuation (Quamar et al., 2020). In the study region, the geology comprises of Barakar Formation, Mahadeva, Barren Measures, Metamorphics, Raniganj, Talchir formations and igneous intrusive (Rao, 1983), as shown in Exhibit 10.…”

Impact of agriculture intensification on forest degradation and tree carbon stock; promoting multi‐criteria optimization for restoration in Central India

“…The study area (21 26 0 35.2 00 -N21 32 0 47.2 00 , 73 40 0 54 00 -74 20 0 11 00 E) in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra is characterized by tropical dry deciduous forests distributed at an altitude gradient from 380 m asl to 620 m asl (Figure 1 leading to seasonal droughts and future water scarcity in the region seems certain if no action is taken (Quamar et al, 2020). The principal species found in these forests are teak (Tectona grandis) and its common associates are species like palas (Butea monosperma), saja (Terminalia elliptica), dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), bhirra (Chloroxylon sweitenia), tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), lendia (Lagerstroemia parviflora), khair (Senegalia catechu), etc.…”

“…The land use and land cover (LULC) for the last 20 years shows an 8.4% increase in agriculture and a 9.4% decrease in natural vegetation and also orange orchards. Groundwater extraction has by > 100% leading to seasonal droughts and future water scarcity in the region seems certain if no action is taken (Quamar et al, 2020). The principal species found in these forests are teak ( Tectona grandis ) and its common associates are species like palas ( Butea monosperma ), saja ( Terminalia elliptica ), dhaora ( Anogeissus latifolia ), bhirra ( Chloroxylon sweitenia ), tendu ( Diospyros melanoxylon ), lendia ( Lagerstroemia parviflora ), khair ( Senegalia catechu ), etc.…”

“…Cultivation of water‐demanding cash crops (oranges, cotton, etc.) (Mishra et al, 2021), forest clearance for timber extraction and agriculture expansion, burning of trees on agricultural land, etc., have led to a critical stage of groundwater depletion (100.26%) (Quamar et al, 2020). To understand the long‐term implications of the ongoing land degradation due to combined direct and indirect drivers, multidisciplinary long‐term monitoring is being carried out in the Vidarbha region (Mishra et al, 2021; Pujari et al, 2020).…”