DISTRICT GROUNDWATER BROCHURE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES
CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD

Western Region
Jaipur
2013
 DISTRICT AT A GLANCE – JAISALMER DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN
S.
Item Information
No.
1 GENERAL INFORMATION
(i) Geographical area (sq km) 38401
(ii) Administrative Division (As on 31.3.2007)
Number of Tehsils 03
Number of Blocks 03
Number of Villages 756
(iii)Population (As per 2011 Census) 669919
(iv)Average Annual Rainfall(2001-2011) 206 mm
2 GEOMORPHOLOGY
Major Physiographic Units Sand Dunes, Aeolian & Alluvial plains, Ridges
and Hillocks.
Major Drainage No major river except ephemeral nallas
3 LAND USE (ha) (2010-11)
Forest area 44873
Land not available for cultivation 511152
Other uncultivated land excluding 2451331
fallow land
Fallow land 106113
Net sown area 725685
Total cropped area 877585
Area sown more than once 151900
4 MAJOR SOIL TYPE Desert soil, sand dunes, red desertic soil,
saline soil of depressions and lithosols

5 AREA UNDER PRINCIPAL Crops Area under

CROPS (AS ON 2010-11) crop (ha)
Bajra 191205
Jowar 2552
Pulses other than gram 13140
and tur
Rapeseed & Mustard oil 69288
seeds
Wheat 15127
Groundnut 11221
Gram 79529
Condiments & spices 16292
6 IRRIGATION BY DIFFERENT SOURCES
Source Net irrigated area Gross irrigated
(ha) area (ha)
Tubewells 41878 75484
Other wells 569 598
Canals 58860 156384
Other sources 22 22
Total 101329 232488
S.
Item Information
No.
7 NUMBER OF GROUND WATER MONITORING WELLS OF CGWB (As
on March 2012)
Number of Dug wells 33
Number of Piezometers 29
8 PREDOMINANT GEOLOGICAL Aeolian sand, Alluvium, Tertiary
FORMATIONS Sandstone, Lathi, Jaisalmer, Baisakhi,
Badesar, Parewar and Haboor
formations, Granite (Post Delhi)
9 HYDROGEOLOGY
Major water bearing formation Quaternary Alluvium, Tertiary
Sandstone, Lathi sandstone, Jaisalmer
sandstone, Badesar sandstone, Parewar
sandstone and Granite
Depth to water level (Pre-monsoon, 1.85 – 108.86
2011) (mbgl)
Depth to water level (Post-monsoon, 1.24 – 116.1
2011) (mbgl)
10 GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION BY CGWB (As on 31.3.2012)
Number of wells drilled (EW, OW, SH, EW – 96, OW- 17, SH- 16, PZ- 20
PZ)
Depth Range (m) 7 – 422.45
Discharge (liter per second) 2– 3859
Transmissivity (m2/day) 397 – 2211
EC µS/cm at 250C 18 – 38800
11 GROUND WATER QUALITY
EC, NO3, F
Presence of chemical constituents more
than permissible limit (EC>1500 µS/cm
at 25°C, F>1.5 mg/l, NO3> 45 mg/l)
12 DYNAMIC GROUND WATER RESOURCES (March, 2009) in MCM
Annually replenishable ground water 72.1216
resource
Net Ground Water Availability 68.3625 excluding saline
Net Annual Ground Water Draft 94.5896 excluding saline
Stage of Ground Water Development 138.36 %
13 GROUND WATER CONTROL AND REGULATION
Number of Over-exploited blocks 02
Number of Critical Blocks Nil
No of Blocks Notified Nil
14 MAJOR GROUND WATER Water level decline, quality problem,
RELATED PROBLEMS AND less recharge due to less and uneven
ISSUES rainfall
15 MASS AWARENESS AND RAIN Mass Awareness Program- one
WATER HARVESTING TRAINING (Jaisalmer)
PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED BY Training Program -Nil
CGWB
 Ground Water Information
Jaisalmer District

Contents
1.0 Introduction ..........................................................................1
2.0 Rainfall & Climate.................................................................2
3.0 Geomorphology & Drainage................................................2
4.0 Soil, Land Use & Irrigation Practices..................................2
4.1 Land-use Pattern .................................................................................. 3
4.2 Irrigation and Water Resources .......................................................... 3
5.0 Ground Water Scenario .......................................................4
5.1 Geological Framework......................................................................... 4
5.2 Hydrogeological Set Up....................................................................... 4
5.3 Groundwater System Behaviour......................................................... 6
6.0 Ground Water Quality ..........................................................9
7.0 Ground Water Resources ..................................................12
8.0 Status of Ground Water Development ..............................12
9.0 Ground Water Related Issues & Problems .......................13
10.0 Ground Water Management Strategy................................13
10.1 Ground Water Development .............................................................. 13
10.2 Water Conservation and Artificial Recharge.................................... 13
11.0 Recommendations .............................................................14

List of Figures
1. Administrative map of Jaisalmer district
2. Hydrogeological map of Jaisalmer district
3. Depth to water level map (May, 2011)
4. Depth to water level map (November, 2011)
5. Seasonal water level fluctuation map (May – November, 2011)
6. Decadal pre-monsoon water level trend map (May, 2002- May,2011)
7. Iso Electrical Conductivity map of Jaisalmer (May, 2011)
8. Iso Fluoride map of Jaisalmer (May, 2011)
9. Iso Iron map of Jaisalmer (May, 2011)
10. Nitrate distribution map of Jaisalmer (May, 2011)

List of Tables
1. Salient features of ground water exploration in Jaisalmer district
2. Annual rainfall data of Jaisalmer district (2001-2011)
3. Land use pattern in Jaisalmer district (2010-11)
4. Hydrogeological characteristics of aquifers in Jaisalmer district
5. Ground water potential of Jaisalmer district (As on 2009)
6. Formation wise details of ground water abstraction structures
 Ground Water Information
Jaisalmer District
1.0 Introduction
District Jaisalmer is located within a rectangle lying between 26°.4’ – 28°.23' north
parallel and 69°.20'-72°.42' east meridians. Covering an area of 38,401 sq km, it is
the largest district of Rajasthan and one of the largest in the country. The breadth
(East-West) of the district is 270 km and the length (North-South) is 186 km. The
length of international border attached to District is 471 Kms. The district is bound by
Pakistan on its North and West, Barmer on South, Jodhpur on East and Bikaner on
North-East. Population of the district is 669919 and density of population is 17
persons per sq.km. Administrtaive map of Jaisalmer district is presented in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1: Administrative map of Jaisalmer district

Systematic hydrogeological survey in the district was carried out during the year
between 1959 and 1961 by Geological survey of India and by Central Ground Water
Board between 1975 and 1977. Reappraisal hydrogeological survey of district was
carried out from 1986-87 to 1995-96 and Micro level hydrogeological survey in the
district was carried out during 2003-04. Ground water exploration and construction
of tubewells was taken up under UNDP Phase I (1967-71) in Lathi basin in the
district. During this project, a number of production wells were constructed. Central
Ground Water Board has so far drilled 96 exploratory wells, 17 observation wells, 16
slim holes and 20 piezometers. Since 1973, monitoring of water levels is being
carried out four times a year during the months of January, May, August and
November. Samples for water quality analyses are collected during the month of
May. Ground water regime is being monitored through 62 National Hydrograph
Network Stations. Salient features of ground water exploration in the district are
given in Table 1.

Table 1: Salient features of ground water exploration in Jaisalmer district

Type No. Depth drilled SWL (m) Transmissivit Discharge EC
of (m) y (m2/day) (lpm) (micromhos/c
well m) at 25oC
EW 96 7 – 422.45 -2.84 – 135 397 - 2211 2 – 3859 18 – 38800
OW 17 64 – 333.2 -2.84 – 103.21 100 – 2000 1510 - 9200
PZ 20 59 – 383.13 9.9 – 130 19.8 - 3027 870 – 7430
SH 16 104.99 – 607.47 1524 – 6522

2.0 Rainfall & Climate

The district experiences arid type of climate. Normal rainfall in the district during the
period 1951-2000 is 181mm. Mean annual rainfall during the period 2001 – 2011 has
been higher than the normal rainfall. Annual rainfall data of the district is given in
Table 2. Almost 90% of the total annual rainfall is received during the southwest
monsoon, which enters the district in the first week of July and withdraws in the mid
of September. As the district lies in the desert area, extremes of heat in summer and
cold in winter are the characteristic of the desert. Both day and night temperatures
increase gradually and reach their maximum in May and June. The temperature
varies from 48 degrees in summer to 2 degree in winter. Atmosphere is generally dry
except during the monsoon period. The humidity is highest in August with mean daily
relative humidity is 43%. The annual maximum potential evapotranspiration in the
district is 1850 mm and it is highest in the month of June and lowest in the month of
December.
Table 2: Annual rainfall data of Jaisalmer district (2001 – 2011)
(Rainfall in mm)
Station 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Average
Fatehgarh 333.0 44.5 324.0 148.0 190.0 527.0 187.0 342.0 97.0 396.0 493.0 280.14
Jaisalmer 321.0 63.0 178.0 47.3 220.5 512.8 195.2 173.5 91.0 309.0 277.0 217.12
Nokha 155.0 48.0 209.0 91.0 275.0 59.0 385.0 181.0 175.0 395.0 326.0 209.00
Pokaran 294.3 48.5 194.0 85.0 154.0 141.0 401.0 423.0 84.0 540.0 487.0 259.25
Ramgarh 121.0 9.0 212.0 29.0 57.0 157.0 178.0 139.0 100.0 386.0 162.0 140.91
Sam 79.0 51.0 163.0 77.0 114.0 256.0 184.2 88.0 64.5 226.5 104.0 127.93
Average 217.2 44.0 213.3 79.6 168.4 275.5 255.1 224.4 101.9 375.4 308.2 205.73

3.0 Geomorphology & Drainage

Jaisalmer district is a part of the ‘Great Thar Desert’. The terrain around Jaisalmer
town, within a radius of about 60 km is stony and rocky. The area is barren,
undulating with its famous sand dunes. There are no rivers worth the name in the
area nor are there any perennial streams in the area. Small nallas are purely
seasonal and ephemeral with the result that there is lack of effective discharge in the
event of heavy precipitation.
4.0 Soil, Land Use & Irrigation Practices
Soils of the district are classified as follows:

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 • Desert soil: Desert soil area is occupied by alluvium and wind blown sand,
yellowish brown, sandy to sandy loam, loose, structure less, well drained with
high permeability occurring in major part of the district.
• Sand dunes: These are non-calcareous soils, sandy to loamy sand, loose,
structure less and well drained. These occupy northern, western,
southwestern, northeastern parts of the district.
• Red desertic soil: These are pale brown to reddish brown soils, structure less,
loose, and well drained. Texture varies from sandy loam to sandy clay loam.
These soils occur in eastern, central and southeastern parts of the district.
• Saline soil of depressions: This type of soil is found in salt lakes. They are
dark grey to pale brown, heavy soils with water table very near to the surface
and are distinctly saline.
4.1 Land-use Pattern
The total reported area as per data available with Dte. of Economics & Statistics,
Ministry of Agriculture, GOI as on 2010-11 is 383914 hectares. The district is poor
in forest cover, with forests occupying only 11.7 % of the total reported area of the
district. Agriculture is the main occupation of the rural population in the district. Net
cultivable area of the district is 725685 hectares whereas nonagricultural land area
including fallows land is 2661075 hectares. The land use pattern is given in Table 3.

Table 3: Land use pattern in Jaisalmer district (2010-11)

S. No. Item Area covered (ha)
1 Total Reporting area 3839154
2 Area under Forest 44873
3 Land not available for cultivation 511152
4 Permanent pasture and other grazing lands 103631
Land Under miscellaneous tree crops & groves
5 298
not included the net area sown
6 Cultivable waste land including fallow land 2453515
7 Net area sown 725685
8 Area sown more than once 151900
9 Gross Cropped Area 877585

The district comes under arid zone of the state and on account of non-availability of
adequate water, cropping pattern is, by and large, single only. Only 21% of the net
sown area is being utilized for double/ multiple cropping. The total area under Kharif
crop is 1190284 hectare and area under Rabi crop is only 34329 hectares. During
kharif, Bajra, Jowar, Moong and Moth are the main crops cultivated and during Rabi,
Wheat, Barley, Mustard and Taramira are the main crop in the district.
4.2 Irrigation and Water Resources
Ground water and IGNP canal are the only source of irrigation in the district.
Maximum irrigated area is in Jaisalmer block. Minimum area under irrigation is in
Sankara block due to poor ground water potential.

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Indira Gandhi Canal enters Jaisalmer district near village Nachana and flows
towards western direction. It has a command area falling to the north of the canal. At
Mohangarh, the main canal ends and further westward extension of canal is known
as Sagarmal Gopa Branch which takes southward bend near Ramgarh and is called
Gadra Road Sub Branch. Major irrigation in the area is through Nachana Branch
System, Sagarmal Gopa Branch System, Shaheed Birbal Shakha System and part
of Charanawala Branch System.
5.0 Ground Water Scenario
5.1 Geological Framework
Geologically, the district is underlain by intrusive rocks at the basement (Post Delhi
formation) consisting of granite followed by Mesozoic and Tertiary formations
consisting of sandstone, shale, conglomerate. Mesozoic formations comprise of
Lathi, Jaisalmer, Baisakhi, Bhadesar and Parewar formations. Abur formation of
Cretaceous age, Sanu sandstone, Bandha and Khuiala limestone of Tertiary period
are also present in the district. These formations are overlain by Pleistocene to
Recent alluvium consisting mainly of clay, sand and silt.
5.2 Hydrogeological Set Up
Hydrogeological formations forming aquifer in the district vary from Proterozoic to
Quaternary in age (Fig. 2). The main water bearing formations in the district are
granites, Lathi sandstone, Tertiary sandstone and Quaternary alluvium. In
Quaternary alluvium, ground water occurs under semi-confined to unconfined
conditions, in semi- consolidated Tertiary and Mesozoic formations, it occurs under
unconfined to confined conditions and in weathered and fractured zones in hard
rocks, it occurs under phreatic conditions. Hydrogeological characteristics of aquifers
in Jaisalmer district are briefly described in Table 4.
Table 4: Hydrogeological characteristics of aquifers in Jaisalmer district
Age Formation Lithology Aquifer Disposition
Quaternary Unconsolidated Aeolian sand & alluvium Fairly thick, discontinuous,
comprising of gravel, regionally extensive, unconfined
sand, silt, kankar & clay to confined aquifer down to 300
mbgl
Cenozoic to Semi- Sandstone, shale with Thick, discontinuous unconfined
Mesozoic consolidated intercalated limestone, to confined aquifer down to 390
siltstone, claystone, Lathi mbgl. Thick, discontinuous,
Sandstone and shale unconfined to confined Lathi
aquifer down to depth 440 mbgl
Lower Consolidated Sandstone, limestone, Discontinuous unconfined to
Paleozoic to sedimentaries shale confined aquifer down to 300
Upper (Marwar Super- mbgl
Proterozoic group)
Proterozoic Consolidated Granite Ground water restricted to
intrusives weathered residuum, fractures
joints. Discontinuous unconfined
aquifer down to 80 mbgl.

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 Fig. 2: Hydrogeological map of Jaisalmer district

Ground water conditions in different hydrogeological units are discussed below.

Granites
Granites form aquifer system in southeastern part of Jaisalmer district. They are
practically impervious and ground water is restricted to the weathered residuum,
fractures, joints etc. Bored wells fitted with hand pump and large diameter dug wells
are feasible only at selective locations.
Marwar Super Group
The consolidated sedimentary formations belonging to Marwar Super Group (Upper
Proterozoic to lower Palaeozoic) consisting of sandstone, shale and limestone form
aquifer in eastern part of Jaisalmer district. Ground water occurs in primary porosity
of sandstone and secondary porosity of sandstone and limestone. Depth to water
level varies from 45m to 60m and yield of wells varies from 1 to 3 litres per second
(lps).
Cenozoic & Mesozoic formations
The semi-consolidated formations belonging to Mesozoic and Cenozoic groups
comprise of Lathi formation, Jaisalmer formation, Baisakhi formation, Bhadesar
formation, Parewar formation, Abur formation and Tertiary formation.
Lathi sandstone is the most productive aquifer system in the district. Lathi basin
covers an area of 7500 sq km, out of which only 3270 sq km area has usable quality
of ground water. The ground water in Lathi occurs under perched as well as main
water table conditions and under confined condition. The eastern part of Lathis is
unsaturated, except for perched saturated zone which supplies water locally to
villages. The depth to water level and piezometric head ranges from 30 to over 120
m. The perched water table occurs between 6 and 30 mbgl. The piezometric surface
is shallower in area north of Jaisalmer-Pokaran road due to topographic depression.

5
The piezometric surface ranges from 540 m amsl near Bhopa to about 490 m amsl
north of Jaisalmer-Pokaran road and south of Jaisalmer. The piezometeric gradient
ranges from 0.1 m/km to 1.6 m/km.
Three saturated zones are encountered in the depth range of 67-100m, 150-200m &
240-280m. Depth to water level ranges from 30 m to 125 m. Transmissivity of Lathi
aquifer ranges from 100 to 2000 m2/day. Yield of wells varies from 20 to more than
40 lps Quality of ground water is generally fresh except in peripheral area of the
basin. Lathi aquifer can sustain medium to high capacity tube wells.
Jaisalmer formation forms aquifer in the central part of Jaisalmer district. In
limestone and sandstone with shale intercalations, ground water occurs under
unconfined to confined conditions. Artesian ground water conditions occur around
Rupsi, Ramkunda Pohara and Baramsar villages. Depth to water level varies
generally from 10 to 70 m. Yield of the formation is generally less than 5 lps.
Baisakhi, Bhadesar, Parewar & Abur formations are predominantly clayey and
shaley. These formations do not form hydrogeologically significant units. They form
aquifers in small isolated patches only. Depth to water level varies from 20 to more
than 100 m. Yield of formations is generally less than 4 lps.
Tertiary formations comprising of Sanu, Khuiala and Bandha formations are
predominantly argillaceous in nature consisting of fine grained sandstone, limestone,
shale, clay, fuller’s earth and gypsum. The major part of the formation contains
saline ground water. Tertiary sandstone forms potential aquifer in Sanu area of
district. Depth to water level varies from 50 to more than 80 m. Yield of the formation
is generally less than 10 lps.
Quaternary formation
Quaternary sediments comprising of unconsolidated aeolian sand and alluvium are
important due to their widespread occurrence. The sediments are comprised of
sand, silt, clay, gravel, calcareous and ferruginous concretions and occur in northern,
western and southern parts of the area. Sand, gravel and admixture of these form
fairly thick, extensive, discontinuous potential aquifers in western and northern parts
of Jaisalmer district. However a major part of alluvium contains saline ground water.
Ground water occurs under unconfined to confined conditions down to 300 mbgl.
The perched water table condition occurs at shallow depth in clay beds and kankars
which arrest the rain water of local precipitation. The Depth to water level varies from
less than 10 m to more than 60 m and becomes shallower towards the northwest.
Yield of the wells is generally less than 10 lps.
5.3 Groundwater System Behaviour
5.3.1 Depth to water level
During pre-monsoon (May, 2011), the depth to water level in the district varied
largely from 1.85 to 108.86 mbgl. Over a major part of the district, water levels are
deeper (more than 20 m). Water levels more than 40 m were recorded in northern
and southern parts of the district. Shallow water levels less than 10 m have been
registered in localized pockets in the district (Fig. 3).
During post-monsoon period (November, 2011), the depth to water level varied from
1.24 to 116.1 mbgl. Wells in major parts of Jaisalmer and Sam blocks registered
water levels deeper than 40 mbgl (Fig. 4).

6
Fig. 3: Depth to water level map (May, 2011)

Fig. 4: Depth to water level map (November, 2011)

5.3.2 Seasonal Water Level Fluctuation

Analysis of water level data of Premonsoon and Postmonsoon period during 2011
indicates that 65% of the wells monitored have registered rise in water levels and the

7
remaining 35% wells have registered fall. Rise of 0-2 m has been observed in 38 %
wells, 2-4 m in 12% wells and more than 4 m in 15% of wells. Fall of 0-2 m has been
registered in 30 % wells and the remaining 5 % wells have registered fall of 2 to 4 m
(Fig. 5).

Fig. 5: Seasonal water level fluctuation map (May – November, 2011)

5.3.3 Long term water level fluctuation

Analysis of decadal pre-monsoon water level data for the period May 2002- 2011 indicates
that, in general, declining trend in water levels has been registered in most parts of Jaisalmer
and Sankara blocks and some part of Sam block. The maximum decline was in Jaisalmer
block while maximum rise was recorded in Sam block. The declining trend ranges from 0 to
25 cm/ year while the rising trend varies from 0 to 50 cm/year (Fig. 6).

8
Fig. 6: Decadal pre-monsoon water level trend map (May, 2002 – May, 2011)

6.0 Ground Water Quality

The single most important criteria of ground water quality is salinity, which at the
very first instance determines whether the water can be used for drinking and
domestic purposes. The quality of ground water in the area varies largely from fresh
to saline. There is a wide range in the salinity of ground water in the phreatic and
confined aquifers.
In Jaisalmer district, Electrical Conductivity (EC) varies from 870 µS/cm at 25°C at
Khuiyala to 9800 µS/cm at 25°C at Kharia Kua. The eastern, western and southern
parts have comparatively better quality of water where EC is less than 3000 µS/cm
at 25°C (Fig. 7). The quality of ground water in northern, northwestern and
southeastern parts of the district is saline. In Lathi formation area of Jaisalmer
district, ground water quality is generally fresh except in peripheral areas of the
basin. As the Lathi aquifer acts as a single hydraulic unit, vertical variation in quality
is minimal and ground water is fresh at all levels. In Ranau-Ghantiyali, Tanot-
Kishangarh, Longewala-Ghotaru area in northwestern part of the district, fresh water
zone overlies saline zones at places. In a small area northeast of Jaisalmer town,
quality of deeper aquifers is better than phreatic zone. Chloride concentration has
been found to vary in accordance with EC from 99 – 2935 mg/l.
Fluoride content in ground water varies from 0.3 mg/l at Khudi to 4.23 mg/l at
Bhadriyas. High fluoride area (greater than 1.5 mg/I fluoride) exists in northeastern
and eastern parts of the district covering major part of Sankara and northern half of
Jaisalmer block (Fig. 8).

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Fig. 7: Iso Electrical Conductivity map of Jaisalmer (May, 2011)

Fig. 8: Iso Fuoride map of Jaisalmer (May, 2011)

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Iron content in ground water has been found to vary from 0.04 mg/l at Lawa to 2.1
mg/l at Bhaisada. Iron concentration in excess of maximum permissible limit of 1 mg
/l has been observed in localized pockets in Jaisalmer block and adjoining areas of
Sam and Sankara blocks in the southern part of the district (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9: Iso Iron map of Jaisalmer (May, 2011)

Fig. 10: Nitrate distribution map of Jaisalmer (May, 2011)

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Nitrate concentration in ground water has been found to vary from 10 mg/l at Lawa to
229 mg/l at Khudi. In about 64% of the samples analysed, nitrate in excess of the
maximum permissible limit of 45 mg/l has been reported (Fig. 10).
7.0 Ground Water Resources
Central Ground Water Board and Rajasthan Ground Water Department (RGWD)
have jointly estimated the ground water resources of Jaisalmer district (as on 2009)
based on GEC-97 methodology. Ground Water Resource estimation has been
carried out for 12090 sq. km. area excluding saline area. The total annually
replenishable resource of the district has been assessed to be 72.1216 MCM and
net annual ground water availability has been estimated to be 68.3625 MCM. Gross
annual ground water draft for all uses has been estimated to be 94.5896 MCM with
stage of ground water development at 138%. Ground water resources of saline
areas falling in all the three blocks have been assessed separately. Annually
replenishable saline ground water resource has been assessed to be 163.1824
MCM and net annual saline ground water availability has been assessed to be
150.2323 MCM against which gross ground water draft has been estimated as only
3.2877 MCM with stage of ground water development at only 2.19%. Block wise
availability of annually replenishable fresh ground water resources are given in Table
5.

Table 5: Ground water potential of Jaisalmer district (As on 2009)

Block Area of Type of Potential Net Existing Existing Existing Stage of Category
Block Area Zone Annual Gross Gross Gross G.W.
Area Ground Ground G.W. Ground Develo-
Water Water Draft for Water pment.
Availabi- Draft for Dom. & Draft for
lity Irrigation Ind. Use all uses
(Sq.Km.) (Sq.kms) (mcm) (mcm) (mcm) (mcm) (%)
Jaisalmer 11505.00
Total of block (Excl.
NC 2510.22 22.9984 39.2592 10.1576 49.4168 205.92 O.E.
Saline)
Saline 8994.78 70.8921 0.0000 0.3825 0.3825
Sam 21111.00
Total of block (Excl.
NC 7960.65 26.3869 6.0335 9.8921 15.9256 60.35 Safe
Saline)
Saline 13150.35 46.1285 1.5325 0.4500 1.9825
Sankra 5529.00
Total of block (Excl.
NC 1619.17 17.9773 24.2556 4.9917 29.2473 162.69 O.E.
Saline)
Saline 3909.83 33.2116 0.5150 0.4034 0.9237
Total of District (Excl. Saline) 12090.04 68.3625 69.5483 25.0413 94.5896 138.36
Total of District (Saline) 26054.96 183.4438 2.0475 1.2359 3.2887 2.19
O. E. – Over-exploited NC – Non Command

8.0 Status of Ground Water Development

Ground water and canal water are the principal sources of irrigation in the district.
Ground water development in the district is being done by dug wells and tube wells.
The stage of ground water development in various blocks of Jaisalmer district varies

12
 from 60 to 206 percent which indicates that the scope for ground water development
is already exhausted, mainly in Jaisalmer and Sankara blocks. Only Sam block falls
in safe category and has scope for further ground water development. The major
part of the block has saline quality of ground water. Therefore, ground water
resource needs to be developed in systematic manner for domestic use only. Out of
3 blocks, 2 fall under “Over-exploited” category and 1 block falls under safe
category.
9.0 Ground Water Related Issues & Problems
Major part of the district is covered by hard formation such as Malani rhyolite and
granite and Jalore & Siwana granites of Post Delhi. These have poor water yielding
capacity. Also such areas suffer from water quality problem and in some of the areas
ground water is highly saline. Villages located in such areas have the basic problem
of drinking water requirement and the situation becomes very critical in summers and
in drought years.
Another problem of concern in the district is that the most potential aquifer i.e. Lathi
formation has witnessed heavy ground water development causing lowering of water
table and drying up of large number of shallow wells or reduction in their yields.
Heavy decline of water level in the wells located in Lathi formation has been
observed during last 10 years.
10.0 Ground Water Management Strategy
10.1 Ground Water Development
Quaternary alluvium, Tertiary sandstone, Lathi sandstone and granites form the aquifer in
different parts of the district. Ground water occurs under unconfined to semi-confined
conditions. Confined conditions are also met sometimes at deeper levels in the northwestern
part of the district. Depth and diameter of the dug well and bore well depend on formation
and geomorphology. However, general depth of dug well and bore well ranges from 20 to 80
m and 250 m respectively. Formation wise details of ground water structures are given in
Table 6.

Table 6: Formation wise details of ground water abstraction structures

Yield of Discharge of Depth (m) Diameter Type of
Formation Dug well Bore well pump/Water
Dug well Bore well
(m3/day) (lpm) Dug well Bore well lifting devices
(m) (mm)
Alluvium 20-100 100-300 40-60 100 2-3 200
Tertiary sandstone 15-60 100-200 40-80 200 2-3 200-300 Submersible/
50-300 100-500 40-80 200 2-3 200-400 Centrifugal
Lathi sandstone
pump
Granite
10-50 50-100 20-40 80 4-5 200

10.2 Water Conservation and Artificial Recharge

Precious Groundwater resources have to be conserved for sustainable availability.
Artificial recharge measures need to be employed for augmenting ground water
resources by roof top rain water harvesting, construction of sub surface barriers and
anicuts at suitable locations. Inferior quality water can be blended with fresh water
for irrigation use. Watershed Development & Soil Conservation Department has
constructed permanent (masonry) check dams under Irrigated Watershed

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Development Project to harvest rain water, reduce soil erosion and check runoff
velocity.
11.0 Recommendations
• Heavy ground water withdrawal from potential zone areas of Chandan -
Bhairawa - Lathi area for agriculture and drinking use, where stage of ground
water development has reached more than 100%, has to be controlled by
preventing further development.
• Awareness programme to educate about conservation of precious ground
water resources and training on rain water harvesting will be beneficial to
check decline in water level and justified use.
• Financial assistance for ground water development in over-exploited, critical
and semi-critical area should not be encouraged.
• Use of water saving devices like sprinklers, close field distribution channels
etc. should be promoted.
• Modern agricultural management techniques have to be adopted for effective
and optimum utilization of the water resources. This can be achieved by
maintaining irrigation through minimum pumping hours as per minimum
requirement of water by the crop and also selecting most suitable cost
effective crop pattern.
• High water requirement crops to be discouraged. Proper agriculture extension
services should be provided to the farmers so that they can go for alternate
low water requirement economical crops.
• Salt resistant crops can be sown in the area having brackish ground water.
• In Sam block, which falls under safe category, further ground water
development, is suggested through financial institutions.
• In areas underlain by Tertiary and Lathi formations, deep ground water
exploration is suggested by suitable rigs.
• Traditional rainwater harvesting structures like Tankas, roof top rain water
storage should be encouraged for day to day requirements which will reduce
ground water draft.
• Large-scale recharge potential exists in depleted aquifers. Mega ground water
recharge to such areas through outside surface water sources like lift canal
from IGNP system or floodwater during excess rainy years be implemented.
• Small check dams or earthen dams, at suitable sites, may be constructed to
store rainwater. This will increase recharge to ground water which will
ultimately result in increase of yield of wells.

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