Application of Remote Sensing, GIS and Geo-Electrical Methods for Ground Water Exploration in 
Zaheerabad, Medak Dist. A.P., India. 
Praveen Raj Saxena’, V.Sudarshan” B.Chandrashekar™ & Manoj Raj Saxena™™. 
* Associate Professor,Department of Applied Geochemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. 
Research Scholar, Department of Applied Geochemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. 
*** Scientist, National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad, India. 
e.mail: saxenapr@ yahoo.co.in 
* 
PS ICWG II /IV ThS 13 
Keywords :Remote Sensing, GIS, Geology, Geophysics, Geomorphology, Management 
ABSTRACT : Land and water are two broad components on which the entire biotic community thrive. In the 
study area the main rock types are basalts and laterites. The main landform units in this province are-valley 
fills, lower plateau and upper plateau. Occurrence of ground water in hard rock terrain is mainly controlled by 
structures, landforms, lithology and recharge conditions. Remote Sensing technology is today widely used in 
survey and management of natural resources. The technology has been found to be very effective in 
identification of potential zones for ground water exploration. Thematic maps on geology, structures and 
geomorphology has been prepared using satellite data. Geo-electrical resistivity survey was conducted in the 
study area. 
Finally, by integrating the geology, geomorphology, structures and the geophysical data, the groundwater 
potential of the study area has been prepared. Criteria for GIS analysis have been defined on the basis of 
groundwater conditions and geo-electrical resistivity data in the area and appropriate weightage has been 
assigned to each information layer according to relative contribution towards the desired output. 
The study indicates that in basaltic/lateritic terrain groundwater occurrence is more dependent on fractures. 
Ground water potential is good in the valley fills, moderate in the lower plateau and poor in the upper plateau. 
Based on the study an action plan for groundwater development in the study area has been suggested like 
development of percolation/water retention ponds at the sites identified, tube wells/bore wells along the 
lineament zone, utilisation of paleo channels for storing the flood water. 
The results obtained encourage the use of integrated approach of Remote Sensing, GIS and Electrical resistivity 
survey for ground water potential mapping. 
INTRODUCTION: Land and water are two broad channels. Geology, geomorphology, structure and 
components on which the entire biotic community climatic condition are the controlling factors for 
thrives. The available surface water resources are ground water storage, occurrence and movement in 
adequate to the entire water requirements for all hard rock terrain. These features are not observed on 
purposes. So the demand for ground water has increased the surface by the naked eye but these parameters can 
over the years. The spectra of a great thirst are looming easily be picked up through satellite remote sensing. 
ahead of us. In most states in India withdrawal of As the art of remote sensing process has unique 
groundwater both for agricultural and industry needs has potentiality of vividly displaying the size. shape, 
been more than what can be recharged. And almost pattern and spatial distribution of various aquifer 
everywhere callously handled waste management has system, their signature of deformation and the 
ended in polluting not just rivers but aquifers as well. morphogenitic landforms. Better interpretation of 
The powerful cash crop lobby too has played its part in hydrogeological data often requires that their spatial 
guzzling resources. The assessment of quality and location be incorporated into the analysis. Geographic 
quantity of groundwater is essential for the optimal information system can be used for storing 
utilisation. The interpretation of satellite data in hydrogeological data as well as their spatial locations 
conjunction with sufficient ground truth information in relational database (Shahid, S & Nath,S.K., 2000). 
makes it possible to identify and outline various ground It also provides the facility to analyse the spatial data 
features such as geology, structure, geomorphic features objectively using various logical conditions. As a 
and their hydraulic characters (Das.et.al. 1997), that may result, nowadays. GIS is widely used for spatial 
serve as direct or indirect indicators of the presence of modelling of hydrogeological prospect of a large arca 
groundwater (Ravindran and Jayaram 1997). with more reliability. Examples from recent literature 
spotlight several uses of GIS as applied to ground 
The main source of groundwater is precipitation within water exploration. Gustafson (1993) used GIS for the 
the region, which reaches the sub-surface formation in analysis of lineament data derived from SPOT 
two ways: (a) by direct percolation and (b) surface run- imagery for groundwater potential mapping. Minor 
off through existing or previously utilised drainage etal, (1994) developed an integrated interpretation 
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