Enhancing water security: A geospatial AHP approach to identifying groundwater potential zones

Groundwater is crucial for both human activities and ecosystem health, but its availability and quality are threatened by over-exploitation, population growth, climate change, and human actions. Identifying and delineating potential groundwater zones is essential for sustainable management and utilization. This study employs the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and geospatial analysis to evaluate groundwater potential in Una district, Himachal Pradesh, India. It integrates thematic maps of geomorphology, lithology, soil, lineament, drainage, land use, slope, aspect, and rainfall using ArcGIS software, assigning scores and weights through AHP. The district is classified into five groundwater potential zones: Very Poor (1%, 17.85 km²), Poor (7%, 114.89 km²), Fair (30%, 453.76 km²), Good (36%, 548.06 km²), and Excellent (26%, 392.78 km²). The Central Ground Water Report (2021–2022) is consulted for validation, comparing designated zones with open well yield data. The study's findings provide valuable insights into Una district's groundwater potential, aiding policymakers, planners, and the farming community in implementing sustainable water resource management strategies.