Geographical Review of Water Resource its Appraisal, Conservation Management and Planning: A Case Study of East Champaran District

The name Champaran owes its origin to Champa-aranya. Champa is Magnolia and Aranya is a tree. Champaranya then means the Magnolia Forest (Champa) plants. Ascetic scholars inhibited the field. East Champaran is traditionally part of the parent district of Champaran. The Aryan Videhas settled east of the river Gandak, or Narayani, and became part of the ancient Kingdom of Videha.

The present research work based on the observational description and observational rational methods in order to decipher the theme of the research. Various statistical and cartographic methods has applied where ever needed. The present research study based on both primary and secondary data. The primary data collected through personal observation, interview, questionnaires schedule etc. while the secondary data collected from concerned district or block headquarters. Map and diagrams, graphs etc. have been widely used in this research papers

1. To ensure regulated exploitation and optimum & judicious use of ground resources. 2. To implement ground water recharge programme on a large scale in an integrated manner and to bring over-exploited/critical blocks into safe category in a time bound manner. 3. To effectively implement conjunctive use of surface water and ground water. 4. To promote efficient methods of water use in the stressed areas.

6. To identify ground water polluted areas in order to ensure safe drinking water supplies. 7. To implement ground water conservation and recharging programmes by the concerned departments through participatory management approach in a co-ordinated and integrated manner.

STUDY AREA

East Champaran district of Bihar state lies between N 26º 15‘ 10‖ and 27º 01‘ 30‖ and E 84º 30‘ and 84º 17‘ 50‖ covering an area of 3968 Sq. Km. In the North, Nepal, Muzaffarpur to the South, Gopalganj to the East, Sitamarhi Sheohr to a West and Gopalganj to the West. On 1 December 1971, the district of Champaran was divided into two districts, in other words. Champaran East and Champaran West. The East Champaran District headquarters is in Motihari. The District Headquarters is Motihari which is well linked by all the weather roads and railways to numerous sections of the state. It is about 170 km by road from Patna. Location of the district is of strategic and historical importance. The district has been the centre of communication for the border areas of Nepal. It has six sub-divisions with 27 blocks. As per the 2011 census, the district has a population of 5,082,868 with 2,674,037 males and 2,408,831 females. The administration of the district of East Champaran is given below in detail. The population density was 1281 inhabitants per sq. Km. Km. The ratio of men to women is 901 females per 1000 males. Literacy is 58.26% for males, 68.02% for males, and 47.36% for women. The district 's total literacy rate is 58.26%, with 68.02% of men and 47.36% of woman literacy. Basin/sub-basin, Drainage The Gandak or Sikrahna River (Burhi Gandak) is the main river in the district between the North West and South East. The River Gandak is known in the northern part of its district as Sikrahna and in the southern part of its course as Burhi Gandak. The Gandaj has also reversed its direction in several areas of the district in the past triggering floods. An unfinished river channel named Dhanauti started running because of its silting down. Today, this canal is a slow drainage channel with several loops before connecting with the Sikrahna River at Pakridayal. Lal Bakeya and Bagmati are the other significant rivers in the district. The Lal Bakeya river is situated on the foothills of Nepal and flows through the district in the southern directions, creating Muzaffarpur east frontier before the Bagmati river reaches Khori Pakur village. Tilawe, Kachhna, Motia and Tiur are also recorded from the area. Paddy (Basmati Rice), Mustard, Sugarcane, Jute, Lentis and Vegetables are the key plants of the district. Irrigation in the district is largely affected by the canal system in the north and east. This dramatically enhanced the district's irrigation infrastructure. Irrigation by raising of water through swing buckets, through creating river bonds and spreading water by Pynes. Other means of irrigation are small pipes, tanks and wells. The district 's Total irrigated region of 183000 hectares is protected by Net irrigated area covering 141000 hectares. Complete planted land is already 390473 hectares and total sown land is 304875 hectares. Studies/Activities of CGWB The Central Ground Water Board covered the district under a comprehensive hydrogeological survey and covered much of the district under a soil water report. The hydrogeological survey of the district and the review of groundwater management have been published. According to the Bihar state Dynamic Ground Water Resource (2009), the district's net annual groundwater supply is 124,861 ha. The net supply of ground water in the district for potential irrigation is 67797 ha.m. The CGWB has boiling 7 exploratory wells and 3 observation wells under exploratory programmes. Wells were installed up to a maximum depth of 348 mbl in the area. There are 16 Hydrograph Network Stations (HNS) in the district that are tracked four times a year to measure the water level of the phretic aquifer. The below are the HNS positions: 1. Chakai 2. Ghorashan 3. Dheoraha 4. Kalyanpur 5. Dipau 6. Khajuria Chowk 7. Lakhwara 8. Motihari 9. Gobindganj 10. Patahi 11. Raxaul 12. Chhapwa 14. Nawada 15. Areraj 16. Dharampur Climate and Rainfall Drought and flood have become a frequent feature of the region. The East Champaran district is renowned for its hot summers and harsh winters. The summer season begins in late March and the normal weather is about 35 ° C and the mean temperature is 46 ° C in May and June. In winter season the temperature goes down to 4 - 5º C. Lowest temperature is reported from the end of December to January. The rainfall in the region is received through South West Monsoon during June to end of September in the area. The rainfall is intermittent or scanty for the rest of the time. The annual precipitation from the region recorded is 1241.6 mm. Quite heavy precipitation is recorded between July and September. Winter rains are normal in the district, along with pre-monsoon showers. A plot with monthly rainfall (in mm) from the district of East Champaran is given below.

Geomorphology and Soils The topography of the area is fairly even and has fertile alluvial plains. These alluvial plains are divided into two tracts by the river Burhi Gandak (Little Gandak) with both the plains having remarkably different characteristics. The river Sikarahna (Burhi Gandak) divides the tract from North West to South East. The northern portion of the tract is of older alluvium and has low land area which is suited for cultivation of kharif but is unsuitable for rabi crops. The southern portion of the tract has recent alluvium deposits of the river Gandak which has changed its course moving further west. This southern portion is suited for cultivation of both Kharif and Rabi crops. The area of this region is characterized by stretches of upland varing in places by large marshy depressions known as ‗Chaurs‘. The major slope of the area is due south-east. The most remarkable feature of the district is presence of a chain of nearly 40 lakes running through the sq. km. The important lakes are located at Sugaon, Talsaraiya, Turkaulia, Motihari, Pipra, Siraha, Nawada and Tetaria. The depth of the lakes varies from 1-5 m and remains mostly filled up with water during summers. The prevalent soil is older alluvial type which is characteristic feature of the Gangetic plain. The soil is lighter in texture. In the northern region the soil is strong clay known locally as ‗Bangar‘ covering an area of about two-fifth of the district. In this area, paddy crops are cultivated during sufficient rainfall seasons. In the Southern region of the river, the soil is mainly light sandy loam not suitable for kharif but yields good crops of wheat, mustard linseed etc. Major soil types found in the area are Paleustalfs, Haplaquents and Udifluvents soils.

DISCUSSION

East Champaran district lies east of the Gandak River in the North Ganga Plain. Thick alluvial deposits down to depth of 300 m have been explored. Potential aquifers can be tapped both at shallow depth (~ 50 m bgl) as well as deeper level up to 200 m bgl in general. Discharge is high enough to meet the requirement for drinking and irrigation.

HYDROGEOLOGY

Geologically, the district has unconsolidated alluvial sediments of Quaternary age. The geological succession as per Geological Survey of India is as follows: The predominant soil is of older alluvial type which is a characteristic feature of the Gangetic plain. The entire alluvial tract is exposed to fluvial action of recent times. Ground water occurs under unconfined conditions in the phreatic aquifer, which is generally disposed within 70 m below ground. Aquifers situated at deeper levels have ground water levels under confined condition. The hydrogeological map of the district is shown in.

is being done four times a year as per the following schedules (Table No. 2):

In East Champarn, most of the wells have depth range of 2-5m. The pre-monsoon (May 2011) depth to water level generally varies from 1.5 to 6 m bgl in major part of the district (Fig. 4.) The post-monsoon (August 2011) water level generally varies from 0.65 to 2.24 mbgl. Similarly, for the month of November 2011 the water level varied from 0.80 to 3.25 mbgl (Fig. 5) and in January 2012 from 1.15 to 3.50 mbgl. On compaing the water level fluctuation of May 2011 and August 2011, it is seen that there is rise of 3.58 mbgl of water level. The depth range of the wells showing rise in water level ranged from 2-4m. Similarly, comparing the water level fluctuations of May 2011 and November 2011, there is rise of water level upto 3.41 mbgl. This rise in water level varies from 2 to 4 mbgl. On comparing the water level fluctuations of May 2011 and January 2012, there is rise of water level upto 3.17 mbgl. Taking into consideration, the long-term decadal (2001-2011) water level fluctuation for pre monsoon, there is a variation in water level from 0.50 to 1.18 mbgl and for post monsoon, it shows variation in water level between 0.26 to 2.18 mbgl. During pre-monsoon nearly 28.5% of the wells showed rise and 71.4% of wells showed falling trend in water level whereas during post monsoon 50% of the well showed rise and rest 50% of the well showed fall trend in water level. As per the dynamic ground water resources calculated for the districts, as on 31st March 2009, the net annual replenishable ground water resource works out to be 124861 ha.m. The gross annual draft for all uses works out to be 52836 ha.m. Allocation of ground water for domestic and industrial use for 25 years works out to be 11754 ha.m. The stage of ground water development is 42.3%. The stage of ground water development is highest in Madhuban (79.7%) and lowest in Kesaria (24%). As stages of ground water development in all the blocks are less than 70% except Mahduban (79.7%), Phenhara (77.5%), Piparikothi (76.2%) and Tetaria (73.3%), and there is no long-term decline in water levels, on the basis of stage of ground water development and water long term water level trend all the blocks are categorized under safe category. The stage of ground water development is depicted in Fig. 7. The block-wise ground water resource is given in Table 3.

Ground Water Exploration The district having an area of 3968 sq km lies between north latitude 260 15‘ 10‖: 270 01‘ 30‖and east longitude 840 30‘: 850 17‘. The district is mainly drained by Gandak and Sikrahna rivers. Geologically, the district is occupied by unconsolidated alluvial sediments of Quaternary age. The Quaternary sediment of the district has been divided into two groups (a) Newer alluvium and (b) Older alluvium. The Newer alluvium occupies the low lying area restricted to flood plains whereas older alluvium occupies the high grounds. The lowest water table contour value is 74 m above MSL.

GROUND WATER QUALITY

Ground water consistency is as significant as its amount. This is well-known and acknowledged in today's society. Ground water quality in nature depends primarily on the geological structures that sustain it, i.e. Aquifers. Any groundwater includes solution salts originating from the locations and the rocks it travels through. Furthermore, groundwater pollution is induced by pollutant discharge which is combined with it. Quality of ground water is described with reference to the needs i.e., drinking, industrial and irrigation to assess the quality of ground water for different purposes. The physical and chemical components are calculated and contrasted with the regular components recommended for drinking, industrial and irrigation applications. Chemical quality-- Groundwater level is usually potable and is defined according to Indian Standards Bureau specification. Table No. 6 below shows the general range of chemical parameter of East Champaran district (major chemical parameters of ground water samples of HNS collected during pre-monsoon 2011 in Bihar State). 1. Electrical conductivity: of ground water of parts of East Champaran District ranges between 510 – 1520 micro siemens /cm. at 25OC. 2. PH: Ground water of the parts of Ranchi districts are slightly alkaline in nature where PH varies between 7.68 to 8.30. 3. Chloride: concentration of chloride varies between 4 to 121 mg/l. 4. Bicarbonate: concentration of bicarbonate is between 342 to 598 mg/l. 5. Calcium: Calcium is found between 26 to 42 mg/l. 6. Magnesium: It occurs between 12 to 114 mg/l. 7. Sodium and Potassium: concentration of sodium is between 18 to 132 mg/l while potassium occurs between 1 to 84 mg/l.

FINDING AND CONCLUSION

The district of East Champaran is underlain by prolific and regionally extensive aquifers of huge thickness. The aquifers of good repositories are confined in medium to coarse grained sand layers in the alluvial sequences. Open wells or Dug wells with a diameter of 1 to 3 metres, upto depth range 2 to 7

namely Kotwa, Phenara, Piprikothi and Tetaria the stage of development has exceeded 70%. In these blocks, further ground water development should be done in a careful manner. As per the resource evaluation of 2009, the stage of development is 42.3%. The net ground water availability for future irrigation is 67797 ha. m. This indicates that there is a vast scope for ground water development to increase the irrigation intensity in the district. The potential aquifer of the district is capable of supplying drinking water need for rural and urban population. Ground water in the district can be developed through shallow tube well in the range of 30-50 m below ground which can yield upto 40-70 metre cube per hour. The deep tubewell can be of 125 m depth will be capable to yield 100 to 150 metre cube per hour by tapping aquifer for about 18-24 m. No water conservation or artificial recharge structure has been constructed by CGWB in the district. The district is by enlarge underlain by potential, unconsolidated quaternary aquifers with good recharge potential. No measure ground water related problem has yet been reported from the district. In local scale, fluoride exceeds the limit for drinking as reported Mass Awareness Programme (MAP) and Water Management Training Program (WMTP) yet to be organized in this district. 8.0 Area notified by CGWA / SGWA All the blocks falls either in safe or semi critical category. As such no block has been notified under CGWA / SGWA.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND FINDINGS

1. Sufficient scope exists for development of ground water for agriculture. Exploitation of ground water can be done through shallow and deep tube wells. Small and marginal farmers can opt for shallow tubewells. Cooperative approach can be taken for high discharge tubewells. 2. Combined surface and groundwater usage could be a safer choice for the region. 3. Non-conventional forms of energy can be used for tubing energy.

1. Dakshinamurti, C; Michael, A.M. & Mohan, S, (1972): Water Resources of India and their utilization in Agriculture, IARI, Monograph No-3, New Delhi 2. Ground Water Information Booklet, East Champaran District, Bihar State (CGWB) Ministry of water Resources (Government of India) Mid-Eastern Region, Patna, September 2013. 4. East Champaran District Population Census 2001, 2011.