Summary

This layer contains information of the major aquifer types of India along with its yield potential in liters per second (lps).

Description

Groundwater is an important resource for meeting water requirements for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses. In India, 60% of irrigation requirements are met from groundwater.

According to the CGWB report 2004, it is estimated that the total replenishable groundwater resources in India were 432 billion cubic meter. Out of this, ground water resources available for irrigation purposes alone was 361 billion cubic meter. The major part of India falls in hard rocky terrain, especially peninsular India and therefore, the potential for groundwater resources is very low and it varies from place to place.

Methods

The groundwater behaviour in the Indian-subcontinent is highly complicated due to the occurrence of diversified geological formations. Studies carried out over the years revealed that aquifer groups in alluvial/soft rocks even transcend the surface basin boundaries. Broadly, two groups of rock formations have been identified depending on characteristically different hydraulics of groundwater viz. Porous Formations and Fissured Formations.

Map Specific Info

The map provided in IBP has the major aquifer systems and its potential yield. The source for this information is Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India.

External Links

http://cgwb.gov.in/documents/DGWR2004.pdf
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2001AM/finalprogram/abstract_22512.htm