Temporal Analysis of Trends in Groundwater Level in Northern Karnataka

Abstract

The present study was conducted in three districts of northern Karnataka viz., Belagavi, Vijayapur and Uttar Kannada based on the highest number of observation wells and secondary data collected for the year 1999 to 2018 from various sources like Central Groundwater Department and district Groundwater department. Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) tool was used to analyze the trends in depth of groundwater level which revealed that, in Belagavi district, during 1999 with a ground water level of 4 MBGL has increased to 20.22 MBGL (Meter Below Ground Level) in 2018 at a rate of (2.72%) per year. Among 10 taluks of Belagavi district, Belagavi taluk recorded highest rate of increase in depth of groundwater level (4.82%)  While, Ramdurg taluk recorded lowest growth in depth of groundwater level (0.43%). In Vijayapur district, during 1999 the depth of groundwater level was 7.37 MBGL and has increased to 19.09 MBGL in 2018 at a rate of 1.62 per cent per year. Among five taluks of Vijayapur district, Sindagi taluk recorded highest rate of increase in depth of groundwater level (2.79%). Whereas, Vijayapur taluk recorded lowest growth in depth of groundwater level (0.10%). While, Uttar Kannada district, with a the depth of groundwater level 6.94 MBGL during 1999 had increased to 17.41 MBGL in 2018 at a rate of 2.38 per cent per year. Among 11 taluks of Uttar Kannada district, Sirsi taluk recorded  the highest rate of increase in depth of groundwater level (4.51%). However, Supa taluk recorded the lowest growth in depth of groundwater level (0.36%). The study indicated that over the years depth of groundwater level has increased significantly. The decline in groundwater availability might be due to over exploitation of groundwater over its recharge rate and inadequacy of rainfall over the period of time.