Development and application of a decision support system for sustainable groundwater management: A case study of Rechna Doab basin, Pakistan.

English Abstract:

Sustainable aquifer management is often regarded as a significant challenge in the developing world. Factors such as low farmer awareness levels, scarcity of irrigation water supplies, high cropping intensities and government policies such as flat electricity rates for tube well operations often hamper the adoption of effective management solutions. Over-abstraction results in lower groundwater depth, with a concurrent decrease in aquifer water quality and increase in pumping cost; in shallow zones, on the other hand, salt accumulation in the root zone is common due to high evaporation losses.

This presentation is part of a research project conducted in the Rechna Doab Basin of Pakistan and addresses such challenges via the development of a comprehensive but simple decision support system using a participatory modeling approach. The presentation evaluates different sustainable aquifer management solutions while taking into consideration surface water availability, crop water demand, and groundwater quality and socioeconomic conditions. To improve management effectiveness, an integrated modeling approach is develop by linking a system dynamics model of the socioeconomic system components with the SGMP module of the Spatial Agro Hydro Salinity Model (SahysMod). The system dynamics model controls tube well development and capacity according to demand-based irrigation, groundwater quality and availability of funds. The SGMP module estimates the water table depth by replicating the hydrological conditions of the study area. Final results indicate that uncontrolled human behaviors and activities are responsible for the degradation of groundwater resources. A brief summary of upcoming challenges and effective management solutions is presented for policymakers to use in the sustainable management of groundwater resources in this study area and others in similar areas.