Current Status and Future Prospect of Ground Water of Palwal District Haryana, India

Abstract

The Palwal district of Haryana, located in a semi-arid region of northwestern India, is currently facing growing pressure on its groundwater resources due to a combination of climatic variability, industrial expansion, and unsustainable agricultural practices. This study presents a comprehensive geo-hydro-environmental assessment of the groundwater status in the region. Drawing upon hydrogeological surveys, borehole lithology, water table data, and soil and aquifer characteristics, the research reveals significant groundwater depletion and increasing water quality issues, particularly salinity and nitrate contamination in blocks adjacent to the Yamuna River. Seasonal fluctuation in water levels (ranging from 2 to 20 m bgl) is evident, with over-extraction linked to rapid urbanization and agricultural demand. The subsurface strata are composed mainly of older and newer alluvium with limited aquifer capacity in fractured quartzite zones. Hydrogeochemical models and aquifer characteristics suggest that the recharge capacity is constrained, and future yield is threatened. The region also suffers from frequent natural hazards such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, further stressing water availability and health infrastructure. Land use data indicates a predominance of agricultural land, with forest cover at just 1.54%, exacerbating water stress. The study concludes that effective groundwater management in Palwal requires integrated strategies—such as managed aquifer recharge (MAR), GIS-based monitoring, conjunctive water use, and regulatory mechanisms—to restore balance between abstraction and recharge. This research contributes a critical baseline for planning sustainable groundwater policies in Palwal and offers replicable insights for similar regions facing aquifer degradation.