DELINEATION OF GROUNDWATER POTENTIAL ZONES USING GIS AND ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS IN JAMMU DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA

Abstract

Groundwater resources in India are under increasing stress due to rapid population growth, intensive land use, and climate variability. Effective delineation of groundwater potential zones (GPZs) is therefore essential for sustainable management. This study integrates Remote Sensing, GIS, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to delineate GPZs in Jammu district using eight thematic layers: geology, geomorphology, lineament density, slope, land use/land cover, soil, drainage density, and elevation. Weighted Overlay Analysis has been applied to generate a composite groundwater potential map at 30 × 30 m resolution. The results classify the district into five categories: very low, low, moderate, high, and very high potential zones. Very low zones are confined to northern hilly terrain with steep slopes and impermeable formations, while very high zones occur in active floodplains and young alluvial deposits adjacent to river channels. The study highlights spatial variability in groundwater occurrence and provides a scientific basis for sustainable groundwater development and recharge planning.