IAPRS & SIS, Vol.34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring”, Hyderabad, India, 2002
interface is slightly higher than the normal hydrostatic pressure
(CGWB, 1998).
9. MAPPING OF RECHARGE ZONES
The recharge zones with reference to shallow and deep aquifers
have been mapped in the study area based on the integration of
the geomorphological and lithostructural maps and also the
information obtained from the existing geological,
hydrogeological and geophysical data. The structural hills and
mountains lying north of HFF mainly act as run-off zones due
to their unfavorable geomorphic-structural setting. However,
the faults/fractures/lineaments, which cut across the Himalayan
formations and also the Ganga Alluvium, the streams/rivers
originating in the hills/mountains and emerging on to the plains,
and the hill slopes facing and adjoining the plains, act as
recharge sources for the shallow as wells as deep aquifers
existing in the Ganga Alluvium and the underlying Siwaliks.
The structural/intermontane valleys existing within the
structural hills/mountains receive good recharge from the
surrounding highlands.
Towards south, active alluvial fans and upper part of piedmont
alluvial fan, also called Bhabhar zone, form the excellent
recharge zones to shallow aquifers and possibly even to deep
aquifers due to the coarse nature of sediments and favorable
disposition. This zone is present all along the foothills and has
maximum width in the Lalkuan-Haldwani area. The width
decreases considerably west of Phika Nadi and east of Kailash
Nadi. Discrete active alluvial fans also exist near Lalkuan-
Haldwani (Gola River Fan), Kaladhungi, Chorgalia and
Tanakpur. This zone of upper piedmont alluvial plain,
especially active alluvial fans, mainly consists of highly porous
and permeable coarse-grained arenaceous unconsolidated
sediments (fanglomerates). The highly porous and permeable
nature of these sediments present in this zone is indicated
through various criteria — (i) presence of losing streams/rivers,
(ii) presence of braided channels, (iii) lithologs of shallow
exploratory bore wells of CGWB, (iv) deep ground water table
and (v) deep resistivity soundings.
The coarse clastics constituting this zone grade laterally into
finer clastics/argillaceous sediments towards south, where they
form lower piedmont plain, also called as Terai belt. This zone
acts as recharge as wells as discharge zone. Due to the finer
nature of sediments present in this zone, the ground water
recharging is restricted to only shallow aquifers and remote
possibilities exist in this zone towards recharging of deeper
aquifers. The interbedded sand-clay sequences having good
recharge from the upper piedmont alluvial plain lying in the
north cause artesian conditions to develop in the shallow
aquifers. Other fluvial geomorphic units and landforms
interpreted from the satellite imagery also can recharge the
shallow aquifers only.
10. DELINEATION OF FAVOURABLE AREAS
FOR GROUND WATER DEVELOPMENT
Based on the integration of the information derived from the
interpretation of satellite imagery and from the existing
subsurface lithological and structural data, favorable areas have
been delineated for conducting detailed ground-based surveys
for ground water development in deeper aquifers. The criteria
adopted for selection of these favorable areas are — (i) tectonic
depression (sag) in Upper and/or Middle Siwaliks, (ii) presence
of discrete alluvial fans and upper piedmont alluvial plain with
coarse grained unconsolidated sediments having good recharge
532
potential for deeper aquifers, (iii) presence and criss-crossing of
lineaments cutting across different geological formations of the
FFB and MHB in the north and continuing in the GB lying in
the south, (iv) presence of thick sand channel up to 1400 m
depth near Bazpur (existing information), etc. The deep
borehole data at Puranpur, Tilhar and Shahjahanpur also
suggest higher formation pore water pressure in the
Upper/Middle Siwaliks (CGWB, 1998). In addition, favorable
zones for ground water development in shallow aquifers have
also been mapped.
The detailed ground-based hydrogeological and geophysical
surveys followed by exploratory drilling are recommended in
these favorable areas, especially to explore the possibility of
tapping the deep aquifers and also to ascertain the long-
sustainability of these aquifers with minimum energy
requirement.
11. REFERENCES
CGWRB, 1998. Delineation of deep fresh water artesian aquifers
in Ganga basin. Unpublished Report of Central Ground water
Board, Northern Region, Lucknow, India.
Ghosh, R.N., Das, S.R., Mazumdar, S., Sarkar, K. and
Bhattacharya, A., 1989. Geomorphology of the Himalaya. GSI
Spl. Publication No. 26, pp. 143-162.
Kumar, G., Roy, S.S. and Ray K.K., 1989. Structure and
tectonics of the Himalaya. GSI Spl. Publication No. 26, pp. 85-
118.
Valdiya, K.S., 1980. Geology of the Kumaon Lesser Himalaya.
Published by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra
Dun, India.
Valdiya, K.S., 1988. Geology and natural Environment of
Naini Tal Hills, Kumaon Himalaya, Gyanodaya Prakashan,
Naini Tal, India.
Raiverman, V., Kunte, S.V. and Mukherjee, A., 1983. Basin
geometry, Cenozoic sedimentation and hydrocarbon prospects
in North western Himalaya and the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Petroleum Asia Journal, Nov. 1983, pp. 67-92.
Rupke, J., 1974. Stratigraphic and structural evolution of the
Kumaon Lesser Himalaya. Sedimentary Geology, 11, pp. 81-26.
12. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful to the Director, RSAC-UP, Lucknow
and Chairman, CGWB for providing logistic support and
encouragement to carry out this study and also to present the
results in the ISPRS Symposium. SKS is also thankful to the
Dean, IIRS, Dehra Dun and Director, NRSA, Hyderabad for
their cooperation and support. Thanks are also due to Dr. B.C.
Joshi and Dr. J.N. Rai, Scientists of CGWB-NR, and Shri D.
Misra, Scientist, RSAC-UP for fruitful discussions and
suggestions. Thanks to Dr. D.J. Paul for his help. Cartographic
support by the Cartography Section of RSAC-UP is
acknowledged.
