GIS-based multi-criteria approach for identification of rainwater harvesting zones in upper Betwa sub-basin of Madhya Pradesh, India

• Published in: Environment, development and sustainability development and sustainability, 2019-04, Vol.21 (2), p.777-797
• Main Authors: Singhai, Akinchan, Das, Sandipan, Kadam, Ajaykumar K., Shukla, J. P., Bundela, D. S., Kalashetty, Mahesh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural management; Agricultural production; Appropriateness; Arid regions; Arid zones; Check dams; Classification; Conservation; Dams; Decision analysis; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Economic Geology; Economic Growth; Environment; Environmental Economics; Environmental Management; Farm ponds; Geographic information systems; Image enhancement; Infrastructure; Land cover; Land use; Landsat; Landsat satellites; Multiple criterion; Parameter modification; Rain water; Rainwater recovery systems; Regional planning; Remote sensing; Runoff; Satellite imagery; Satellite navigation systems; Semi arid areas; Semiarid lands; Soil conservation; Suitability; Surface runoff; Sustainable Development; Water; Water availability; Water conservation; Water harvesting; Water management
• ISSN: 1387-585X; 1573-2975
• DOI: 10.1007/s10668-017-0060-4

The emergent water paucity calls for more resourceful alternatives of water conservation. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is one of the most capable systems to increase availability of water and agriculture output in the semi-arid regions. Nevertheless, the assessment of RWH potential and selection of appropriate RWH locations pose a great challenge for the water managers due to lacking biophysical data and infrastructure. The present study attempts to assess the RWH potential and identifying probable RWH locations in the Betwa sub-basin using geospatial and multiple criteria decision analysis techniques (MCDA). The spatial theme such as land use land cover was derived by supervised classification method and lineament and drainage by edge enhancement method from Landsat ETM + satellite image and other secondary published maps. The surface runoff was determined from modified Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method. These parameters were assigned suitable weights and integrated with a geospatial (GIS) technique to generate RWH site suitability map and to identify possible locations for RWH structures. SCS-CN technique displays that the water-body and built-up areas have high runoff potential, while forest area shows low runoff. The analysis indicates that 5.6% (87.7 km 2 ) is suitable for percolation tanks, 3% (46.6 km 2 ) suitable for farm ponds and for check dams (0.7 km 2 ) of the study area. The study reveals combined methodology of geospatial and MCDA procedures in planning of rainwater harvesting at a regional scale.