INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EARTH AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE Journal homepage: www.jakraya.com/journal/ ijeas ORIGINAL ARTICLE Micro Level Water Planning of Talaivasal Block, Salem District Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques P. Mohana 1, P. M. Velmurugan 2 and K. Santhanam 3 1Centre for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics, 2Centre for Earth and Atmosphereic Sciences, Sathyabama University, Chennai, India. 3VIT University, Vellore, India. Abstract In this study, Remote Sensing and Geographical information system were utilized to analyze the thematic layers like land use, lineament *Corresponding Author: structures, geomorphology and wastelands. Thematic layer coupled with collateral data on geology of the area, drainage, soil, depth to bedrock, P. Mohana rainfall data are used to examine the development and management of water resources system. Due to over exploitation of ground water in Email: [email protected] Thalaivasal block, this is viewed as an interesting region for carrying out the present study. By using ARC GIS software, various data sets are analyzed by application of integration analysis. Favorable potential areas were identified for ground water developments. Suggestion for improving Received: 17/03/2017 the wasteland areas and suitable means for catchment area conservation is Accepted: 15/06/2017 reported in this study. This study also focuses on planning of Micro level watershed to select artificial recharge structures and feasible irrigation tanks for modernization and de-siltation to improve ground water recharge. Keywords: Water resources, Over exploitation, Micro level planning, Ground water. 1. Introduction Synergistic application of satellite remote Water resources planning in India since the First sensing and Geographic information system techniques Five-Year Plan (1951-1956) has been a very important were utilized to analyze the ground water potential part of national development planning. Watershed (Mayilvaganan et al ., 2011; Zilioli, 2002). It is development programs not only protect and conserve estimated based on specific yield of geological the environment, but also contribute to livelihood formation, hydrological performance and water level security (Dyck, 1990). However, records show that the fluctuations. Demands are calculated based on results of such planning in the last three decades have collateral data collection. Potential areas within the fallen short of expectations because of various complex over exploited block is demarcated using thematic factors (PWD, 2007). In Tamil Nadu, there are 385 layers and importance was given to identify waste blocks, which fall in 17 major river basins. If the lands and suggesting remedial measures to convert annual draft of ground water exceeds 100 % of annual those wastelands into productive lands using various recharge, block is categorized as over exploited block Remote Sensing and GIS techniques (Tim, 2003). as per Ground water Resource Estimation Committee Objective of this study is to Identify and develop the (GREC) norms. favorable potential ground water zones. This also deals Vellar basin is a major river basin of Thalaivasal with the identification of the zones for construction of block, in Salem district. Swethanadhi and artificial recharge structures to augment the ground Vashistanadhi are tributaries of Vellar basin drain in water. Identification of wastelands and suggestion of this block. Total geographical area of the Thalaivasal remedial measures for converting them into productive block is 409 Sq. Km covering 49 villages in this block lands is also carried out in this study. and the annual ground water draft is more than 200 %. This block was divided into 6 mini watersheds to 2. Geographical Area, Data Used and assess the water potential, runoff and storage. (Vittala Methodology Adopted et al ., 2008). International Journal of Earth and Atmospheric Science | April-June, 2017 | Volume 04 | Issue 02 | Pages 117-126 © 2017 Jakraya Mohana et al…Micro Level Water Planning of Talaivasal Block, Salem District Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques 2.1 Location and Extent tributaries are Periya Ar, Maraikkadappai, Valayar and Study area lies in between 11º23’ and 11º42’ Muraiya Ar. Through the drainage map, length of the North latitude and 78º39’ and 78º50’ East longitude drainage and drainage density is calculated and range is (Fig 1). The total geographical area covers 0.632-2.688 km. Hills in Northern side have elevation approximately 408.92 sq, km, within that, the forest maximum of 817 m and minimum of 140 m. and hilly area is around 139.05 sq. km and area without Physiographically the general slope in this block is forest is 314.30 sq. km. The Total number of villages in northwest to south eastern direction. the study area which is benefited through the water level planning is 41. Thalaivasal block situated in the 3.2 Rainfall velar river basin of Tamil Nadu. The physiography of The study area falls under the climate of semi- the study area shows hills on northern side with the arid region. Various rainfall stations in and around the maximum elevation of 817 m (MSL) and the minimum block areas are Kallakurichi, Athur, Virahanur, elevation of 140 m (MSL). The central part of the Arumbavur, Gangavalli and the Nearest Weather block is drained by Vasishtanadhi with numerous Station is Mangalapuram. Rainfall data for these streams originating from the Kalrayan hills, flowing stations were collected from the year 1991 to 2015 and from west to east. The southern part of the block is the annual rainfall from 777.40 mm to 990.30 mm. drained by Swethanadhi which is originated from Kolli Using interpolation technique created the average hills. Physiographically the general slope in this block annual rainfall map, southwest monsoon rainfall map, is northwest to south eastern direction (Fig 2). northeast monsoon rainfall map, winter season rainfall map, summer season rainfall map and created the 2.2 Data Used rainfall histogram for further analysis (Fig 3) . Suvery of India toposheets from Geological Survey of India for preparation of base map, 3.3 Geology Map administrative map, physiographic map, drainage map The source file from the Geological Survey of and elevation contour map. Collateral data were India and the through the field check, surface geology collected for annual and seasonal rainfall, ground water has been studied in detail and demarcations of the levels, depth to bedrock, ground water quality and soil boundaries of various lithological units have been from Public Works Department, Tamil Nadu. Satellite correlated with the geological map of Thalaivasal block Data IRS P6 from National Remote Sensing Centre, for was prepared with the help of GSI map. This block is preparation of land use/land cover, lineament-structural encountered with hard crystalline rocks of Archaean and geomorphology maps. (Precambrian) age. The rocks are represented by gneissic group and charnockite group. The gneissic 2.3 Methodology groups of rocks are the oldest rocks of this block and it Using ARCGIS software, from Survey of India includes granitoid gneisses, biotitic gneisses and toposheet base map, administrative map, physiographic granitic gneisses (Fig 4). map, drainage map and elevation contour map were prepared. Using IRS P6 Satellite data digitized the 3.4 Hydrogeology Map geomorphology map, geology map and land use/land Voluminous data collected from the Geological covers maps were prepared for analysis of ground Survey of India (GSI), Central Ground water Board water. Processed the Annual and seasonal rainfall data, (CGWB), State Ground and Surface Water Resources depth to bedrock data, water quality data and soil data Data Centre (SG and SWRDC) and Tamil Nadu Water were collected from the various government Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) were analyzed in institutions using interpolation technique. By using the PWD, Government of Tamilnadu. Hydro geological ARC GIS software, various data were analyzed by condition varies with varied geological set up and applying the integration analysis and favorable ground geomorphologic conditions. Well inventory was water potential areas were identified. Suggestion of conducted in 74 dug Wells, observation well details improving the wasteland areas and the suitable means were collected from 21 wells for 30 Years (1984- for catchments area conversations. 2014) for Pre/post monsoon periods for analysis. (Fig 5) (Source-PWD, TN Government). From the well inventory data the Post monsoon Water Level was 6 to 3. Results and Discussion 28 m and the Pre monsoon Water Level was 4 to 18 m. 3.1 Drainage Map 3.5 Geomorphology Map Drainage map was derived from Survey of India IRS P6 satellite data was used to prepare toposheet. The major river is Vellar. Major drainages Geomorphology map. Various Geomorphological - are Swethanadhi, Vasishtanadhi and the various International Journal of Earth and Atmospheric Science | April-June, 2017 | Volume 04 | Issue 02 | Pages 117-126 © 2017 Jakraya 118 Mohana et al…Micro Level Water Planning of Talaivasal Block, Salem District Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques Fig 1: Index Map of the Study Area. features were identified and the areas of various geophysical resistivity survey also conducted in the features like valley fills, pediments, deep pediments, intersection points and along lineaments (Fig 7). shallow pediments, structural hills and moderate Lineament intersection points give an idea to pediment zones were calculated (Fig 6). The study area explore for further ground