BRIEF HYDROGEOLOGICAL STUDIES OF WATERSHED MR-21 IN CONTEXT OF GROUNDWATER ESTIMATION AND GROUNDWATER RECHARGE PLAN, OSMANABAD, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Abstract

The global population is increasing rapidly and expected to touch the 9.5 billion mark by 2050 from the current 7.2 billion. The management of the groundwater resources is a challenging task worldwide against the backdrop of the growing water demand for industrial, agricultural, and domestic uses and shrinking resources. Moreover, this task has been hampered significantly due to declining/rising groundwater levels and associated contamination. A broad range of solutions could be considered to address the aforementioned problems of groundwater management strategy. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the Water level, Rainfall, Groundwater estimation and cropping pattern of the studied area which can be useful for applications of the management of groundwater resources and recharge techniques.It would also be necessary to plan, recharge and control the use of groundwater under the prevailing conditions. Publication and distribution of annual reports and related programmes for creating awareness amongst the community and for educating them will have to be undertaken regularly. This will enable avoiding scarcity in the studies area, as well as the hectic activity and excessive expenditure that has become characteristic of summer months in the Marathwada and adjacent area. The present study discussed about the optimum planning of GW recharge and need to control the irrigation draft less than the recharge for future use. Application of Regulatory measures for not drilling bore wells. Optimum use of water saving practices. There should be annual GW budgeting on regular basis, need to plan cropping as per GW availability.