This paper from the GIS Development site attempts to find out whether Ground Water Information System (GWIS) and Geographic Information tools can be useful as efficient exploration methods to gain an improved understanding of aquifers from the point of view of their characterisation, safe use and exploitability and sustainability.
Groundwater, which is widespread in occurrence though far from abundant in Jharkhand region, has gained recognition as a major asset to meet basic human needs for potable water and agriculture. In the present study area, agriculture needs during the rabi season often cannot be met from surface water resources due to poor management practices. Thus low-yielding unconfined aquifers constitute the only viable source of supply. In entire watershed, groundwater occurs in secondary aquifers consisting primarily in weathered and fractured within the basement. But these aquifers provide low yields.
Research priorities and needs, therefore, include more efficient exploration methods, improved characterization of aquifers, better assessment of exploitability and safe yield, and enhancement of sustainable use through artificial recharge. This needs better understanding and management of resources. Ground Water Information System (GWIS) and Geographic Information tools, which incorporate spatial and non-spatial details and its analysis can provide better understanding and management of groundwater resources.
The study indicates that Geographic Information System (GIS) and Ground Water for Window (GWW) can be very helpful in creating an interactive ground water information system. The scattered non-standard data on different parameters available with different user agencies have been well arranged in retrievable format in GWW. Now the GWIS of Upper Barakar basin is providing arranged and structured database. The created information system in GIS and GWW may be used to the standard ground water modeling package. However, due to lack of interface between GIS package and GWW, the data related to other natural resources cannot be actively linked together. There is further scope for development of interface between GIS (in present case GRAM++).
At present there is no common platform for creation of GWIS in the country. The approach adopted in the creation of GWIS for Maragajo watershed may be used in the other parts of Country. GIS and GWIS of Upper Maragajo watershed has provided opportunity to understand groundwater parameters in integrated manner.