Assessment of groundwater potential zones using multi-criteria evaluation technique of Paisuni River Basin from the combined state of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, India

The Paisuni River Basin forms the combined state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Madhya Pradesh (MP), India. It is an agricultural-dominated area in the flood plains where groundwater plays a crucial role for agricultural purpose. In the present study, an assessment of groundwater potential (GWP) zones is carried out using multi-criteria evaluation techniques. Different thematic maps such as landuse/landcover, geomorphology, lithology, soil, slope, lineament, drainage and rainfall maps were considered for the delineation of potential zones. The present work was carried out to delineate the GWP for the two different states as well as for the various villages of UP and MP. Approximately, 44% and 13% for good potential, 32% and 18% for moderate potential and 6% and 14% for the low potential of groundwater are delineated from the states of UP and MP. The village wise shows that 1% good potential is in the state of MP; however, 99% shows good potential for the villages of UP. Rainfall data also indicates that UP receives more annual rainfall than MP. The majority of the area in UP suggests good groundwater potential zones. Thus, the results will be helpful in better planning and management of groundwater resources in the Paisuni River Basin as well as rainwater harvesting in different villages where there is a poor potential of groundwater to meet the future need of water in these villages.