Impact Assessment of Water Conservation Planning Using RS and GIS Techniques—A Case of “Buldhana Project”

Today more than 56% of India is in the water-stressed zone. The groundwater levels around the country have drastically lowered, which has become a matter of concern for the government. There is an immediate requirement to stop lowering the groundwater table and work on recharging for its rising. Rain water conservation is one of the methods which can be effectively used for the purpose. Rain water conservation can be a by-product of infrastructure projects. For a recent example, an infrastructure project in the highways sector is acknowledged for setting up an example of model convergences of National Highway improvement/construction with water conservation and recharging groundwater. Khamgaon–Chikhli Highway, located in the water scarcity area of central India, is a trendsetter and example to set its unique way of groundwater conservation. This highway project which inter alia involves the consumption of a large quantum of earthwork. After a detailed study of the topography of the area, soil required for highway construction was extracted in such a way to create new ponds at potential location or enhancement of the capacity of existing ponds, deepening the nallas and river bed which were dry and contributed into small–medium irrigation projects and helped in recharging of the groundwater table. The present case describes the utilization of RS and GIS techniques for the impact assessment of water conservation planning. Recently, the 75 number of ponds which were constructed under the conservation and recharging planning of Khamgaon–Chikhli highway. This unique idea was applied to fully fill the earth materials requirements for the highway by consorting the ponds nearby. Here, RS and GIS techniques were utilized to identify their impact on water conservation and recharge. Pre- and post-images are analyzed of this region using Google Engine. The significant changes in terms of water storage, vegetation cover and land use land cover are identified. Suitable maps are prepared to identify the pre- and post-impacts of water conservation planning.