Socio-Hydrological Approach to Explore Groundwater–Human Wellbeing Nexus: Case Study from Sundarbans, India

Abstract

Coastal regions are the residence of an enormously growing population. In spite of rich biodiversity, coastal ecosystems are extremely vulnerable due to hydroclimatic factors with probable impact on socio-economy. Since the last few decades, researchers and policymakers were attracted towards the existing water demand–resource relationship to predict its future trends and prioritize better water resource management options. Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) serves the wholesome purpose of modeling diverse aspects of decision analysis using water algorithm equations for proper planning of water resource management. In this study, future groundwater demand (domestic, agricultural, and livestock sector) in the fragile Sundarbans ecosystem was estimated considering different human population growth rates (high, low, and current) for 2011–2050. The results showed that the sustainability of coastal aquifer-dependent rural livelihood is expected to face great danger in the near future. The total groundwater demand is expected to rise by approximately 17% at the current growth rate in the study area to fulfill the domestic and agricultural requirement, while this value goes up to around 35% for a higher growth rate and around 4% for a lower growth rate. The impact of increasing groundwater demand was analyzed further to identify any socio-economic shifts in this region.

Assessment of groundwater suitability for irrigational utilization determined by distinct quality indices and information entropy theory in the Indian Sundarban region

“…The main aquifers are found at a depth ranging from 140-150 mbgl and are semi-con ned to locally uncon ned, consisting of somewhat salty to saline water. The fresh aquifer, which is found between 160 and 400 mbgl and comprised of medium to lthy sands with clay and silt inter-beds, is considered a deeper aquifer (Halder et al, 2021). The fresh aquifer's hydraulic gradient slopes toward the sea.…”

Toward SDGs: Forest, Market and Human Wellbeing Nexus in Indian Western Himalayas

“…However, the abilities of people to use these services are often determined by the condition and type of natural resources (Sangha et al, 2018). Economically marginalized rural communities are dependent on products of natural ecosystems for their basic needs; hence the level of their wellbeing varies with the change in the condition of natural resources, especially in developing countries, such as India (Kluvánková et al, 2018;Dandabathula et al, 2021;Halder et al, 2021;Lakshmi, 2021). The restricted availability of natural resources and their reduced ability to provide services has resulted in frequent and intensified ecological and economic shocks to the dependent communities leading to a reduced sense of security, especially among most marginalized communities and women (Adger, 2010;Pecl et al, 2017).…”

Analysis of Socio-Hydrological Evolution Processes Based on a Modeling Approach in the Upper Reaches of the Han River in China

“…Lu used sentiment analysis to assess the cooperation needs of various countries and established a socio-hydrological model of trans-boundary river cooperation (TCSH model) to simulate the cooperation and conflict observed in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin [26]. Halder used social-hydrological approach to predict groundwater demand in different sectors of the Sundarbans [27]. Kumar analyzed the water scarcity on three very large river islands in Asia, and advocates that socio-hydrological research should focus on how to improve the adaptability of the vulnerable coastal island communities [28].…”