Geoscience Research

112-115

Authors: DABRAL S., SHARMA N., BHATT B., JOSHI J.P

The conventional approach for groundwater recharge assessment has some limitations in spite of its simplicity and wide applicability in varied hydro-geological setup lacks the spatial variability whereas in case of remote sensing and GIS application, spatial distribution of the variables are taken into account, thus preparing an information layer for the whole of the study area. The Geographical Information system (GIS) has capability of conducting spatial searches, overlays and association of the spatial data with the non-spatial data to eventually generate new information. Therefore, an integrated geospatial technique has been used to identify the area suitable for recharge by Weighted overlay analysis and demarcate the suitability zones for groundwater recharge which can also be used as sites for artificial recharge. Further, groundwater samples from shallow and deeper aquifers were collected from some selected sites in the study area representing the specific hydrogeological environment. They were then analyzed for oxygen isotope (δ18O‰). δ18 O isotopic concentration of groundwater sample shows considerable variation in stable isotopic values ranging between -3.16 to 1.06 ‰. The depleted values are indicating that the area is being recharged from surface water, while enriched values are from coastal plain area, which indicate salinity ingress. Moreover, the negative δ18 O‰ values indicates zone of recharge while positive values indicate zones of non-recharge. δ18O‰ iso-line has also been superimposed over the weighted overlay map to validate the area of recharge. Both the integrated maps of oxygen isotope variation of the study area and weighted overlay map are in confirmation and substantiate the ground water recharge zones.

120-123

Authors: RATHOD B.L., AUTI S.K., WAGH R.V

Sindhudurg District has been declared as a 'Tourism District' on 30th April 1997. The natural resources, coastal lines, waterfalls, hot springs, temples, historical forts, caves, wild-life, hill ranges, scenery and amenable climate are very important resources of tourist attraction. The various facilities available to the domestic and foreign tourists in Sindhudurg district. These include natural resources, transportation, infrastructure, hospitality resources and major tourist attractions. For the research work Sindhudurg District is selected. This district has at East Kolhapur district, at south Belgaum and Goa state at North Ratnagiri district and at west Arabian Sea. It is smallest district in Maharashtra state. It's area is 5207 sq.kms. Its geographical Location of Sindhudurg is 150 36' to 160 40' North latitudes as 730 19 to 740 18' East longitude. As per 2001 census it has 743 inhabited villages and 5 towns. The object of study region is, to highlight the attractive tourist destinations and religious places in the region. This study based on primary and secondary data. Tourist attractions in the district as is, natural beauty, waterfall, umala, caves, temples, beaches, ports, forts, mini garden, rock garden, tracking, rock climbing, boating, valley crossing, wild life, festival's fairs, arts, handicrafts, creeks, lakes etc. places. To the stay of tourist, which requires natural resources, infrastructural and transportation facilities, accommodation, food, recreation, sight seeing, shopping and variety of facilities and services for use and enjoyments. The source of tourism depends on all these facilities.