Sustainable groundwater development and management in the vaniyar sub basin of the ponnaiyar river south india

Abstract

In recent past, the surface supplies have shown a decrease and deterioration, as well as demanding large emphasis on subsurface water resources. Diminishing of water bodies and changes of river courses will led to hurtle in surface water management for agricultural and drinking purposes. In a modernized agrarian context, as witnessed in several parts of Tamil Nadu, the surface sources of irrigation are becoming scarce year by year. In Tamil Nadu, the capacity of storage structures is also reduced, due to encroachment and siltation, resulting in poor water storage conditions during monsoon periods. Groundwater has, in the last few decades, emerged as the major source of water supply to domestic, irrigation and industrial sectors in Tamil Nadu on account of total utilization of surface water resources. Out of 385 blocks in Tamil Nadu, 89 blocks have been over exploited during 1992, and it has increased to 138 during 2003 and 2009. In Vaniyar subbasin, there are 6 blocks partially covered in, wherein 5 blocks have been estimated as over exploited and only one block is safe as on March 2003 and March 2009. Firka wise assessment done during the year 2013 shows that out of 11 firkas, 4 firkas have been estimated as over exploited, 2 firkas are estimated as critical, 2 frikas are estimated as semi critical and only 3 firkas are estimated in safe category. Since a major part of the Vaniyar sub-basin area has been declared as over exploited blocks, the agriculturists in these blocks have been denied financial assistance by nationalized and co-operation banks, for further groundwater development, especially their livelihood. Hence, an attempt has been made to take up a detailed study on Sustainable Groundwater Development and Management in the Vaniyar Sub-basin of the Ponnaiyar River Basin, South India in order to identify groundwater potential zones and favourable recharge zones for further development of water resources, and to suggest suitable recommendations for better management of water resources and agricultural