Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | Investigating climatic and anthropogenic impact on the groundwater quality of shallow aquifers along the flood plains of River Jhelum, Kashmir Himalaya |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Focus area : | Hydrogeology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Aasimah Tanveer , Govt. Degree College Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2027 |
Contact info : | aasimaht@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | Scarcity of water is one of the vital challenges the planet earth will have to encounter in future. The emerging global fresh water crisis in terms of its quality and quantity is already visible, involving massive environmental and social costs, which are affecting the economy and quality of life. It is estimated that ground water forms one of the major freshwater resource for drinking and agriculture to about one third of the world’s population (UNEP). However, its significance in the total water resource picture and its vulnerability has not been generally realized and problems like pollution, due to agriculture, industries and human activities, depletion due to overdraft, salinization, and water logging due to inadequate drainage and insufficient conjunctive use have started to become conspicuous. Further intensive use of this natural resource and ensuing climate change are posing risks to ground water quality and quantity resulting in negative environmental impacts and threatening its long term sustainability. Ground water also plays a vital role in India’s economic development and in ensuring its food security. However, in Himalayan regions climate change has drastically reduced the number as well as mass of the glaciers which has already impacted the freshwater resources in the Indian subcontinent. The situation is likely to worsen in future due to the uncertainties related to climate factors. In Jammu and Kashmir change in climate especially reduced snowfall and frequent floods as well as pollution from different sources like wastewater from municipalities, residential houses, solid wastes, agricultural and horticultural activities, construction works and small scale industries threatens the ground water resources and quality. Ground water sources of the valley occur mostly in two dominant aquifers, limestone from the east and basalt from the west, which move towards alluvium and Karewa respectively. Since most of the population (about 55% of J&K) and other economic activities are located along the flood plains of river Jhelum therefore, it is important to study and understand the different hydrogeochemical characteristics of aquifers in different seasons and geological terrains. The unconsolidated nature of alluvial soils, shallow water table and high human activities in the area makes this study more important as there is little information on groundwater portability, aquifer performance, hydrogeochemical characteristics and most importantly threats due to changing climate on the ground waters in this Himalayan region. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Arshid Jehangir Bhat, Kashmir University, Srinagar, Jammu And Kashmir-190006, Dr. Mohd Muslim, Kashmir University, Srinagar, Jammu And Kashmir-190006 |
Total Budget (INR): | 44,17,120 |
Organizations involved