Assessment and modeling of village ecosystem using geo-informatics and impact on human health by water quality hazards: advancing quality water availability through smart rainwater harvesting at micro level
Student name: Ms Ila Agnihotri
Guide: Dr Devesh Sharma
Year of completion: 2010
Host Organisation: Regional Remote Sensing Centre/ISRO (West), Jodhpur
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr J. R. Sharma
Abstract: The centroid of this project is to analyze that how nature and humans can sustain altogether, along with preserving each other’s integrity. Both are the major affecters of each other, even after being the part of same ecosystem. . So analysis of the Natural environment, predicting its effect on humans and suggesting ways to manage the harsh conditions is the motive behind the project.
A population density of 0.6 persons per Hectare, a subcentre with a nurse, a common PHC shared with 16 more villages, 92% agricultural dependents in an area where rainfall is erratic and highly variable, with a natural gift of unique flora and fauna, all sustaining together represents village Melwa, located at Luni block of Jodhpur district.
Ecosystem study reveals that the village occupies an area of 2146 Ha, out of which 92% (1964 Ha) is meant for agriculture. The soil is sandy loam with a major percentage of sand, nearly 80%. Except built up rural land, other land belong to III (14.55%) and IV (79.39%) Land capability class and 3 Land irrigability class, which means good soil for agriculture and irrigation.
Flora and Fauna are represented by arid species. Representative tree species are Khejri, Kair, Kumat, Babul, Ber and Neem. Representative animal species are Antelopes, Black buck, Nilgai, Chinkaras, present the richness of the village in terms of its natural assets that too in such extreme conditions. The area occupied by the trees is 6.7% of the total area of the village, nearly 74 times more area than occupied by water bodies.
Uncertainity in climate can be appreciated for all the meterological variables-Temperature, Vapour pressure, Relative Humidity, evapotranspiration, wind speed and sunshine.
Livestock is rich by cattles, sheep and goats. Temporal trend shows continuous increase in their number. Camels and buffalow are also a part of livestock. These are mainly used for household milk consumption, milk economy, cultivation and selling.
Major source of water for irrigation and consumption are Groundwater and rainwater. Rainwater being seasonal, groundwater is major in terms of consumption. Its quality represents alarmingly high sodium, chloride and electrical conductivity .in temporal trends with recent control also reflected in 2009.
Health hazards due to groundwater quality while considering ecosystem were quantified. Three inorganic chemicals-Chloride, Nitrate and Fluoride were evaluated against EPA toxicological and scnerio parameters. Chloride was found to be required risk management targets with agricultural and residential ingestion being 3.9 mg/l, recreational hazard is 7300 mg/l and industrial is 10 mg/l. Fluoride and Nitrate do no show up as a risk contaminant in PRG screen through Spatial Analysis and Decision Assistance(SADA). Rainwater harvesting was estimated to be appropriate to sustain the water quality and quantity needs of the village for both-agriculture and consumption, the backbone factors for the survival of a naturally gifted self sustaining village.
Keywords: Ecosystem, Melwa, Groundwater quality, Health hazard, SADA
