Ground Water Prospect Mapping of Pench Tiger Reserve (Ptr), Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

The resource mapping and its management is an important aspect of wildlife management programme. The water availability and it sustainability is considered as an important parameter for wildlife habitat security. The efforts were made in this study to elaborate the hyogeomorphological potential zone mapping of Pench tiger reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India. The total area of tiger reserve is around 757. 85 sq km. The interpretation and mapping was based upon geomorphology, geology and lineaments. For geomorphic and ground water prospect mapping of entire area was prepared mainly through IRS lC LISS III April, 1999 sa tellite data (hard copies) on 1-50,000 scale with combination of topographical details and the area calculation was done in GIS domain. Out of 20 geomorphic units the alluvial plains (31. 89 Sq. km), buried pediment (83. 23 Sq. km) and pediments (173. 03 Sq. km) were found most suitable areas for the ground water conditions. The dug weJl data for Pediment, Berried Pediment and for Alluvial Plains were shown on an average depth 11 feet, 19 and 9 feet depth of water from the surface respectively. The lineaments control the movement and storage of ground water. The concentrations of lineaments (calcu lated about 309) were in SE part of the study area might help to improve the water carrying capacity of the area. Results suggested that ground water prospect mapping can help the wild life manager to conserve the wildlife in effective manner.