Identification of Suitable Sites for Farm Ponds in Drought-Prone Areas for Sustainable Water Management: A Case Study on Lower Bindusara Watershed, Beed District, Maharashtra

In drought-prone areas, the viability of agriculture and livelihoods is seriously threatened due to water scarcity. One of the most important rainwater harvesting structures is the farm pond. The lowest elevation of the farm or agricultural area is where it is built, and the stored water is solely utilized for irrigation. Farm ponds offer a viable solution by storing rainwater and surface runoff, ensuring water availability during dry periods. This study explores advanced methodologies for identifying suitable sites for farm ponds in drought-prone areas of the lower Bindusara watershed for sustainable water management. In an effort to determine suitable sites for farm ponds, this study considered several factors, including LULC, geomorphology, lithology, soil texture, soil depth, slope, drainage density, lineament density, groundwater prospect zones and rainfall. This study developed Farm Pond Site Suitability Index (FPSI) using a weightage-ranking method, analysed with the help of geospatial techniques. This index identified suitable sites for farm ponds in agricultural land and categorized them into four suitability classes: very high suitable, high suitable, moderately suitable and marginally suitable, covering areas of 28.92 sqkm, 57.33 sqkm, 50.08 sqkm and 05.01 sqkm, respectively. The results highlight several highly suitable areas for farm pond development, offering insights into efficient water storage solutions for agricultural purposes. This study provides a framework for sustainable water resource management in semi-arid regions, promoting resilience against climate variability and supporting local agricultural productivity.