Conservation of Groundwater Resources in Arid Lands: A comparative study of NaiGaj Pakistan and WadiDhahban Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This research was conducted to compare the two research areas NaiGaj, Pakistan and WadiDhahban, Saudi Arabia having Ground Water Potential (GWR). The main objectives of the research was to determine the different parameters that support the ground water availability such as vegetation, nature of slope, Rain Water Rills(RWR), climatic data and land cover area with help of modern techniques. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia emanates under as Arid or Semi-Arid category of land. Both research area have almost same topography, where ground and river water is not found. Growers irrigate land by saline water of different drain canals (in Pakistan) and Rain Water Rills coming from the uplands. A 61 km wide and 326 km long belt is found in slope of Khirthar Mountain in Sindh, Pakistan, this belt is rain shadowarea. Similarly, WadiDhahban has same geographical features, located near the coastal belt of RedSea, where dozens of RWRs are presents and trembled in the Sea.The maps of groundwater potential of both study areas were designed with the help of RS and GIS software.GIS and RS havesignificant role in mapping of ground-water quality and quantity for assessment and monitoring purposes.It was observed through the maps that both areas have ground water potential. Furthermore, the results indicated that NaiGaj has 30.3 % ground water potential and WadiDhahban has 15.8% ground water potential.