Groundwater Recharge Management for Livelihood Enhancement andGender Equity in Semi-Arid Regions: A Hydrogeological and ParticipatoryApproach

Groundwater is a critical resource. Globally, 42% of irrigation, 36% of domestic, and 27% of industrial water needs are met by groundwater. However, over-extraction and unregulated use by anthropogenic activities and climate change have resulted in resource depletion, impacting 60% of livelihoods, 48% of food security, and 70% of environmental sustainability. According to GSDA, 2022, in semi-arid regions like Parbhani district, Maharashtra, India, groundwater scarcity is exacerbated by unplanned drilling and declining aquifer levels. The district's reliance on Deccan traps basaltic formations, a depth to the water level of more than 20 mbgl and an average rainfall of 656 mm reflect the gap and potential for effective groundwater recharge. Beyond resource management, this research addresses gender disparities tied to groundwater scarcity. In Parbhani, due to the migration of men in search of better livelihood opportunities, there is a 36 % increase in the feminization of agriculture which has placed women at the center of irrigation and agricultural activities, and groundwater depletion has heightened their drudgery. Women spend over two to four hours daily fetching water, limiting education, health, and economic empowerment opportunities. By improving groundwater availability, this study aims to alleviate women’s labor burdens, enhance their livelihoods, and promote gender equity.
This study integrated hydrogeological, geospatial, and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques to map groundwater recharge potential zones. Thematic layers such as geomorphology, geology, land use/land cover, drainage density, lineament density, soil, and slope were analyzed using a weighted overlay technique through social experts based on an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is further overlayed with an irrigation map of the district. The results identified high, moderate, and low recharge potential zones. The study has shown that slope (26.5%), geology (24.3%), and lineament density (15.5%) contributed the most significant weightage in determining recharge suitability. High recharge potential zones were primarily located in flatter terrains with favorable geomorphological and geological conditions, while low potential zones were associated with steeper slopes and poor lineament density. Based on the results, periodic derivation of existing water bodies and the promotion of efficient cropping patterns are recommended. The construction of water recharge structures through a public participatory approach and MGNREGA schemes including check dams, percolation tanks, and farm ponds are recommended to enhance water availability, livelihood, and gender equity for sustainable water resource management. This approach also demonstrates a replicable framework for addressing groundwater depletion challenges in similar semi-arid regions.

Keywords: Groundwater recharge zones, Public Participatory approach, livelihood, women
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