APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN GROUND WATER
INVESTIGATIONS IN SOHNA BLOCK,GURGAON DISTRICT, HARYANA (INDIA)
B.S. CHAUDHARY*, MANOJ KUMAR', A.K. ROY' AND D.S. RUHAL?
? Scientists, Haryana State Remote Sensing Application Centre, Hisar, India
+ Research Scholar,School Of Studies In Geology, Vikram University, Ujjain, India
* Head,Geosciences Division, Indian Institute Of Remote Sensing, Dehradun, India
Commission IV, Working Group 2
KEY WORDS: GIS, Digitization, Integration, Interpretation, Application, Raster, Hydromorphogeology, Indian Remote Sensing
Satellite (IRS).
ABSTRACT
Remote Sensing Techniques play an important role in terrain evaluation surveys for natural/physical resources inventorying and
mapping as remotely sensed data provides synoptic view, multispectral and unbiased information with repetivity for change detection
studies. The scope has been further enlarged due to advent of Geographic Information System (GIS) and other computer aided
methodologies for Digital Image Processing. The present study, a part of Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development project,
sponsored by Department of Space, Government of India, deals with ground water investigations in Sohna block. Various thematic maps
were prepared by visual interpretation of satellite data, stereoscopic interpretation of panchromatic B/W Aerial photographs and
information extracted from digital image processing of satellite data. These were further supplemented with selected ground checks.
These maps were digitized and integrated in IDRISI Geographic Environment to prepare final map showing ground water prospective
areas. Paleochannels/ channel remnants were found to be excellent for further ground water exploration. Lower reaches of piedmont
fan are recommended for further ground water prospection in a controlled manner whereas valley fills are suitable for dugwells/shallow
tubewells. Two paleochannels of greater dimensions probably of Yamuna river have been demarcated first time. The study demonstrate
the capability of GIS in ground water studies. Sites of wells are recommended to be located on the extension of lineaments or preferably
on their extension.
1. INTRODUCTION
Water is one of the most precious natural resources of the earth
and it is of utmost importance in every facet of human life.
Although water is a more dynamic renewable natural resource,
its availability with good quality and proper quantity in appropriate
time and space is of significant importance. As a result of
population explosion, urbanization and deforestation, there is
continuous pressure on this precious gift of nature. Because of
over drafting and less recharge, water table is declining at many
places, even causing deterioration in quality of water.
In view of the above facts, delineation of ground water prospective
areas has acquired great importance. Advent of satellite Remote
Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) has added a
new dimension in the field of ground water investigations.
Although ground water investigations through satellite data and
aerial photographs is an indirect approach and complex job, but
when it is integrated with field data (e.g. thickness of weathered
zone, surface fractures, faults, depth to water level, seasonal
water level fluctuations, water quality and tubewell discharge) in
a GIS environment, one can get a fairly accurate idea about
ground water conditions of the area by preparing
“Hydromorphogeological (HMG)” maps (Roy 1993 and Jugran
1995). Therefore, demarcation of ground water prospective
zones, using Remote Sensing data and GIS is much more precise
and effective. Studies related to remote sensing applications in
ground water has also been carried out by many resource
scientists in India and abroad ( Prakash 1993 and Baz 1996).
2. OBJECTIVES
Objectives of the above study are to prepare geological,
geomorphological, hydromorphogeological and other related
maps to demarcate the ground water prospective areas and to
demonstrate use of GIS in ground water studies.
3. STUDY AREA
The area under study forms southern part of Haryana state which
extents from 28°12' to 28°27 North latitudes and 76°51' to 77°15
East longitudes, Covering an area of 480 sq.kms. The location
ofthe area is shown in map -1. It falls in survey of India toposheet
Nos. 53H/3, 53H/4 and 53D/15. Geologically, the Sohna valley
has been considered as a major zone of tectonic weakness in the
Delhi super group of rocks and is expressed as a longitudinal
graben valley extending in North-South direction between Sohna
and Harchandpur ridges. The greater part of the area is occupied
by the alluvial plain with thick aeolian cover at places, of recent
to subrecent age. Widely scattered strike ridges of Aravalli
mountain chain of Delhi super group are also seen at places.
Geomorphologically the area has been divided into low structural
hills, pediment, piedmont aeolian plain, sand mounds/dunes,
aeolian plain, piedmont fan and alluvial plain. Sohna is famous
for its sulphurised hot spring which is of great medicinal value.
This sulphurised hot spring owes its origin to deep seated
intersection of faults, one along escarpment face in roughly east-
west direction near Sohna whereas another in the east of sohna
ridge running roughly in north-south direction.
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B6. Vienna 1996
