Dynamics of Groundwater Level Fluctuations in Relation to Urbanization with Integrated Use of Non-Parametric Test and GIS Techniques in Lower Kharun, Chhattisgarh

The current research aims to comprehend the patterns of urban growth and its impact on groundwater in the lower region of the Kharun catchment in Chhattisgarh, a state in India, given that urbanization is a significant human-induced change to the environ- ment. The study employs a practical approach using remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, and R program- ming to analyze changes in land use and the Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI). This approach aids in understanding how urban areas have evolved over time. Additionally, traditional data sources are used to characterize urban growth, while an Inverse Dis- tance Weighting (IDW) interpolation technique is utilized to map groundwater levels spatially. To assess the significance of groundwater level changes, the study employs the modified Mann Kendall’s (MMK) test, alongside the Sen slope estimator and Linear regression to quantify the magnitude of these trends. The findings reveal a substantial increase in urban built-up areas over the past two decades, par- ticularly in the southeastern part known as Atal Nagar, accompanied by fluctuations in groundwater levels, notably in the central, south-eastern, and south-western regions. This suggests that urban expansion has contributed to environmental changes in these areas. The re- search methodology employed in this study shows great potential in shedding light on the intricate dynamics of urbanization. It is espe- cially noteworthy due to the substantial fluctuations in groundwater levels that were observed in areas undergoing rapid development, such as the extensions of Raipur and Durg cities, as well as the Naya Raipur region. These findings are of paramount importance as they provide valuable insights that can inform the creation of well-informed policies and regulations. These policies and regulations are essen- tial for effectively addressing the multifaceted challenges that arise as a result of urban growth and its associated impacts on the environ- ment, infrastructure, and the overall well-being of the residents. In essence, this research is a vital step towards sustainable urban develop- ment and management, where it becomes possible to mitigate the negative effects of urbanization while harnessing its benefits for the betterment of society.