Assessment of geo environmental issues of Gurdaspur District Punjab with special reference to the management of transboundary aquifers

Abstract

In the present research work, an attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive description of the disposition and behaviour of transboundary aquifers of district Gurdaspur with adjoining districts of Narowal and Sheikhupura, of Pakistan and the inter-state districts of Himachal Pradesh i.e., Kangra along with the intra-state districts of Punjab i.e., districts Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, and Kapurthala with the main emphasis on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of these aquifers. This study will benefit the policymakers in efficiently managing transboundary aquifers and may contribute to the growth of the economy, food security, trade at the international level and poverty eradication. This research will also assist the local groundwater managers (at the state and district level) to improve the understanding of water quantity and quality by providing current data so as to effectively manage the water resources in a sustainable way. The study has also assessed the groundwater recharge potential zones of the aquifers and the present status of pollution and future vulnerability. The aquifer management plan of the study area has been prepared in a very simplified manner so that it can be straightforwardly understood and implementable by the stakeholders and concerned organizations in a sustainable manner and ensure inclusive acceptability. newline