Delineation of potential groundwater recharge zones using remote sensing, GIS, and AHP approaches

Groundwater resource plays a critical role in economic development, human health, and ecological diversity. Groundwater exploration has gained much prominence recently due to the rapid nature of geographic information systems and their ability to provide initial information on resources. Present study focuses on delination potential groundwater zones in Mulshi Taluka, Pune district, India, using remote sensing, GIS, and Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP). Geomorphology, geology, slope, drainage density, rainfall, landuse/landcover, lineament density, soil, Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), curvature, and Topographic wetness index (TWI) were used for delineation of the groundwater recharge zones. All thematic maps were weighted using the AHP method according to their characteristics and water potential. The final groundwater potential zone (GWPZ) map was divided into five categories, viz., very low (4%), low (25%), moderate (45%), high (18%), and very high (8%) zones, respectively. The final map identifies 4% of area under a very high recharge zone with natural infiltration ability. The region's central, southern, and western regions account for 80% of the study area's recharge potential. Finally, groundwater fluctuation data was used to verify the accuracy of the GWPZ map through receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). The AUC score for the AHP technique reveals 80.4% accuracy. Local and government authorities can use the study findings to effectively plan and manage groundwater development.