Executive Summary : | India's manufacturing sectors are growing rapidly, making it the world's third-largest economy by 2030. However, unplanned urbanization and industrialization are contaminating urban watersheds with hazardous substances, heavy metals, and pollutants. This can lead to severe environmental and human health consequences, including neurodegenerative disorders, genetic mutations, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. The study focuses on five urban watersheds in Chandragiri, Tirupati, Renigunta, Yerpedu, and srikalahasti, which are densely populated, overexploited, and heavily industrialized. Groundwater levels are declining rapidly, and water quality is deteriorating. Despite the potential of remote sensing and Geographic Information system (GIs) technologies, their application in these watersheds for water replenishment, water quality improvement, soil erosion control, waste disposal control, and stormwater management remains untapped. Integrating Rs and GIs into watershed management can identify pollution hotspots, potential rainwater recharge structures, suitable waste disposal sites, and control soil erosion and stormwater runoff. This approach enhances groundwater replenishment and reduces pollutant leaching, improving water quality through dilution, sediment filtration, natural degradation, and attenuation. |