Jalna-District

INTRODUCTION

Jalna District formerly a part of Aurangabad District was formed on 1 May 1981 by merging Jalna, Bhokardan, Jaffrabad, Ambad Talukas of Aurangabad District and Partur Talukas of Parbhani District. Jalna district borders Parbhani, Buldhana and Aurangabad. To the west, Jalgaon to the north and Beed to the south. The area of Jalna district is 7,612 sq. km. is, which is 2.47% of the total area of the state.

The district headquarters is at Jalna and is connected to the state capital and the national capital by a broad-gauge railway line. Major cities of the state are also connected by state highways. Jalna district is famous for agro-based industries like hybrid seed industry, steel re-rolling mills, bidi industry and dal mill. The district is also known for the highest production of sweet lemon (Mosambi) in the state.

LOCATION

Jalna district is situated in the central part of Maharashtra state and in the northern part of Marathwada division. Specifically, the district lies between 19^o15N to 21^o3N latitude and 75^o4E to 76^o4E longitude. It falls under Survey of India numbers 46P, 47N, 55D and 56A. The district consists of 8 taluks namely Jalna, Bhokardan,Jaffrabad, Badnapur, Ambad, Ghansawangi, Partur, Mantha.

HISTORY

In the 12th century, the region became ruled by the Yadava dynasty, who were based in nearby Devagiri and were originally Chalukya feudatories. The Yadavas ruled until 1308, when Khilji general Malik Kafur defeated the Yadavas and annexed their kingdom for Alauddin Khilji. The district remained under Sultanate rule until 1499, when a regional governor declared independence and created the Bahmani Sultanate. In the early 1530s, the Bahmani Sultanate fractured into five states, one of which was the Ahmednagar Sultanate which Jalna was part of. Jalna became conquered by the Mughal Empire and during Akbar’s time, was a jagir which was held for a brief time by Abul Fazl. It continued to be part of the Ahmednagar Subah until the Asaf Jahis declared independence, and Jalna became part of their new state of Hyderabad. In 1728, the Marathas conquered the district, but before 1790 the district returned to the hands of the Nizam. Jalna was formerly part of the Nizam’s kingdom, After India annexed Hyderabad in 1948, it became part of Aurangabad district of Hyderabad State. In 1960, .

WEATHER AND RAIN

The district has a dry and tropical climate with very hot summers and mild winters and a humid SW monsoon season with moderate rainfall. Climate can be divided into three main seasons viz;

1. A) Hot to warm humid monsoon from June to September.
2. b) Cold dry winter from October to February and
3. c) Dry summer from March to June.

The temperature ranges from 21⁰ to 30⁰ Celsius during monsoon. During the winter season, the temperature drops significantly and ranges from 10⁰ to 25⁰ C. is up to Night temperature ranges from 20⁰ to 25⁰ Celsius with a cool breeze. Rainfall records show that the district has two zones according to rainfall. The former includes Bhokardan, Jaffrabad and Jalna taluks and has a favorable rainfall of about 700 mm for the kharif crop. The second region includes Ambad and Partur talukas which receive about 800 mm of rainfall, which is more suitable for the rabi crop. As Jalna and Ambad talukas are promising rainfall areas and Bhokardan and Jaffrabad talukas are medium rainfall areas of 625 to 700 mm, the amount of rainfall is not uniform in all parts of the district. The average annual rainfall in the area is 725.80 mm. About 83% of the rainfall falls between June and September, with July being the rainiest month. The air in the district is generally high when the relative humidity is high except for the southwest monsoon. Summer months are driest when the relative humidity is 20 to 25 percent in the afternoon.

Wind speeds are generally light to moderate during the late summer and monsoon seasons. Winds blow mainly from the west and north directions during the hot season. During the southwest monsoon season they are mainly in the direction between southwest and northwest.

GEOLOGY

Deccan Trap Basalt

Basaltic lava flows in the Deccan Traps cover about 98% of the area of the district. The formation is very thick and consists of individual lava flows of 5 to 25 m thick. Each flow has a lower zone of 40 to 70% hard, massive basalt that lacks primary porosity and permeability. The upper 30 to 60% zone is vesicular basalt with limited primary porosity. However, the formation usually has secondary porosity and permeability acquired due to weathering, jointing, shearing, fracturing, etc.

Alluvial region

It occurs as small patches along coasts, flood plains and in the middle of major rivers. Their individual extent ranges from 1 to 20 km 2 and 5 to 30 m thick. It consists of beds and lenses of sand, gravel and boulders in the matrix.

GEOGRAPHY

The northwestern part of the district is comprised of the eastern slopes of the Ajanta Plateau. The satmala hill ranges (943m) throws an offshoot in southesastern direction through Jafrabad taluka which forms the western edge of the Buldhana plateau. Eastern offshoot of the Ajanta or Samala hill ranges comprising flat topped hills form divides between Purna and Girija rivers and between Girja and Dudhna rivers. The south eastern offshoot of Ellora hills comprising a series of dissected flat topped hills reaching upto Ambad town. Apart from these, hilly regions occurring in northern and western parts of Jafrabad, Bhokardan and Ambad taluka , most of the southern and central parts of the district comprise undulating plains. Elevations of the hilly regions range from 600 to 900 m above (amsl) and of the plains from 450 to

600 m amsl. Generally, ground slope in the district is towards east and southeast. Plains along the banks of Godavari and Dudhna rivers in Ambad and Partur talsils range in elevation from 150 to 350 m amsl.

Drainage:

The district is well drained by river system, which are dendritic type and have matured valleys. There are two main drainage systems viz: (1) Godavari river and (2) the Purna and Dudhna rivers. The river Godavari forms the entire southern boundary of the district in Ambad and Partur talukas. It is one of the most important river of Deccan plateau and whole district of Jalna falls in its great basin. The direct tributaries of the river are Shivbhadra, Yellohadrs, Galhati and Musa riers. All these tributaries rise from the Ajanta and Ellora plateau and flow south and eastwards to join the Godavari river. While most of the smaller streams dry up in summer, the major rivers are perennial. The Purna river rises from near Mehun about 8 km NE of Satmala hills and at a height of about 725 m amsl. It is most major river after Godavari and drains entire area of Jafrabad, Bhokardan and Parts of Jalna district. Its tributaries are the Charna, the Khelna, the Jui, the Dhamna, the Anjan, the Girja, the Jivrakha and the Dudhna. The Dudhna river is the largest tributary of the Purna river which is nearly as long as main river itself. It has the longest course in Jalna district and drains parts of Ambad, Jalna and Partur talukas with its tributaries such as the Baldi, the Kundilikha, the Kalyan, the Lahuki, the Sukna, etc.

Soils:

The Soils of the district are derived from the basaltic lava flows. Thickness of the soil cover is less in northern and western region where ground elevations are higher and consequently soil regur, gravels, murum are transported down to lower regions through gravity, water or winds. Soils in central, southern and eastern regions of the district near the banks of Godavari and Dudhna rivers are thicker. Here soils ranging in depth from 1 to 2 m are black and rich in plant nutrients. Profile description and analytical data of some typical soils are as follows:

1. Light soils occur along hills, rugged regions, plateaux and elevate plains. These soils are brown to grey in colour, less fertile as plant nutrients are less and range in depth from 0-15 cm. They comprise grains of basalt, quartz and clays with calcareous nodules and gravels.
2. Medium soils occur along undulating plains, depressions in hilly regions etc. These are dark brown in colour and contain more plant nutrients. The soil ranges in thickness from 15 to 40 cms and comprises clays with some silica and lie over murum at 40 to 100 cm depth.
3. Deep soils occur along plains of lower elevation, depressions and along river banks. These are dark black cotton soils, plastic, sticky, rich in plant nutrients and are very fertile. These soils range in thickness from 50 to 200 cm and lie over murum at 2 to 4 meters depth comprising clays, loam, lime etc.

HYDROGEOLOGY

Groundwater occurrence and movement in the area is influenced by its rock formations. Groundwater potentially depends upon porosity and permeability (both primary and secondary) of rock formations. Jalna district is underlain by basaltic lava flows and alluvium only. Water bearing properties of these rocks are described below. The regional Static water level in the area varies from 20 to 25 mbgl. Ground water extraction in the area is done mainly through dug wells and bore wells. The average depth range of dug wells in the area is from 15.00 to 30.00 m. The average depth range of bore wells in the area is from 60.00 to 80.00 m.

When the thickness of weathering, jointing, shearing, fracturing zones are appreciable (30 to 60% of a flow) in Deccan basalt flow, the flow forms an aquifer of moderate potential. The structural and composite characteristics described above are repeated in all the lava flows of an area and they thus form a multiple aquifer system which generally extends to depths of 150 to 250 meters.Apart from the inherent properties of lava flows cited above, topography also plays an important role in groundwater potential of basaltic area. Hills and higher grounds stood out as their rocks are hard, compact and resistant to weathering. The steep gradient causes rain water to run off rapidly without much infiltration. In contrast, the valleys depressions and areas of lower elevations are formed where rocks were weaker, prone to weathering due to joints, fractures etc. In addition, rain water runoff is less and infiltration is more in such areas.

Groundwater in Deccan traps occur under water table condition in weathered, jointed, fractured and vesicular zones of the flow exposed at the surface. Groundwater occurs under confined conditions in Jointed, brecciated or fractured and vesicular zones of lower flows. The vesicular and zeolitic basalts are highly susceptible to weathering as interconnected vesicles form conduits from weathering agents.

The granular zones of alluvium form aquifers in which groundwater occurs under Phreatic and semi confined conditions. The porosity of these granular zones ranges from 10 to 15 %.

Water Level Scenario

Aquifer parameters are available from data of ground water exploration carried out in the district as well as from the pumping tests. Pumping tests conducted on wells in the district show that transmissivity of shallow aquifer in basalts ranges from 30 to 80 m2 /day, specific capacity of wells ranges from 75 to 200 lpm/m. with an average of about 110 lpm/m. The specific capacity of wells and transmissivity in alluvium ranges from 130 to 2050 lpm/m and 120 to 210 m3 / day respectively. On an average, specific yield of basalt aquifers comes to be only 2%.

Depth to Water Level – Premonsoon (May-2023)

The depth to water levels in the district during May 2023 ranges between 4.1 (Walsa Dawargaon) and 18.10 (Roshangaon) mbgl. Shallow water levels within the range of 4.1 to 5.9 mbgl are seen at seven observation wells. Water level within 4.1 to 10.9 mbgl are seen almost in entire district. The water levels in the range of 10.9 to 18.1 mbgl are seen in the form of patches on the entire district, The Talukawise extent of Depth to water levels during premonsoon (May 2023) of the district has been depicted below.

Depth to Water Level – Postmonsoon (Oct-2022)

The depth to water levels in the district during Oct 2022 ranges between Ground level and 12.9 (Roshangaon) mbgl. Shallow water levels within the range of Ground level  to 2.1 mbgl are seen at many observation wells. Water level within 0.5 to 7.8 mbgl are seen almost in entire district. The water levels in the range of 11.9 to 12.9 mbgl are seen in the form of patches on the entire district, The Talukawise extent of Depth to water levels during premonsoon (Oct 2022) of the district has been depicted below.

GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT

The ground water resources of Jalna district was estimated based on GEC-2015 methodology. The same are presented below for the year 2022. Ground Water Resources estimation was carried out for 8042.59 sq. km. area out of which 542.99 sq. km. is under command and 7499.60 sq. km. is non-command.As per the estimation the total annual ground water recharge is 166895.84 Ham with the natural discharge of 8899.82  Ham, thus the net annual ground water availability comes to be 157996.02 Ham. The gross draft for all uses is estimated at 86063.1 Ham with irrigation sector being the major consumer having a draft of 83268.96 Ham The domestic and industrial water requirements are worked at 2794.08 Ham. The net ground water availability for future irrigation is estimated at 71932.9Ham. Stage of ground water development varies from 42.41 % (Ambad) to 61.77 % (Jalna) is for “Safe” category. Taluka wise assessments indicate that no taluka falls under “Over- exploited”, Semicritical and Critical category, all the talukas fall under “Safe” category. Watershed wise, out of 52 watersheds, 41 fall under “Safe category” and 11 watersheds are falling under “Semi critical” category.

GROUNDWATER QUALITY

In the district, 1750 water samples were collected during pre-monsoon season in 2023. The samples were broadly classified into four classes as given below.

Suitability of Ground Water for Drinking Purpose

The suitability of ground water for drinking purpose is determined keeping in view the effects of various chemical constituents in water on the biological system of human being. Though many ions are very essential for the growth of human, but when present in excess, have an adverse effect on human body. The standards proposed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for drinking water (IS-10500-91, Revised 2003) were used to decide the suitability of ground water. The classification of ground water samples was carried out based on the desirable and maximum permissible limits for the parameters viz., TDS, TH, Ca, Mg, Cl, SO4 and NO3 prescribed in the standards and is given in the table above. It shows that concentration of TDS, TH, Ca, Mg, SO4 NO3 is above MPL.

However, the concentration of nitrate is found more than PL at 432 locations indicating high influence of anthropogenic activity in the vicinity of the wells, causing nitrate contamination. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ground water quality in above said areas is not suitable for drinking purpose. The ground water, in general, is potable with few exceptions.

 WATER CONSERVATION AND ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE

CCT, nala bunding, gabion structures, vegetative bunds, terracing etc. and construction of minor and medium irrigation projects with lined or pipe canals may be feasible in the Satpuda hill range. In the Basaltic area, the artificial recharge structures feasible are check Dams, gully plugs, percolation Tanks, nala bunds, etc. Existing dugwells can also be used for artificial recharge; however, the source water should be properly filtered before being put in the wells. The artificial recharge structures suitable for Alluvial areas are percolation tanks and recharge wells/shafts. The most feasible artificial recharge structure suitable for Alluvial areas, are shallow recharge wells/shafts on the river bed of the tributaries. These sites need to be located where the hydrogeological conditions are favourable, i.e., where sufficient thickness of de-saturated/unsaturated aquifer exists and water levels are more than 5 m deep. Considering the hydrogeological aspects, Jalna district has feasibility of rainwater harvesting for ground water augmentation. The existing dugwells, Borewells or Tubewells may be used for recharging the ground water with proper filter media.

GROUNDWATER RELATED ISSUES AND PROBLEMS

Although a modest area in Jalna district is under canal command of various irrigation projects and the area is showing decling trend of ground water levels due to exploitation of ground water for irrigation and other purposes at a faster rate. There is much scope for conjunctive use in such areas. The conjunctive use of water is recommended in this area. Ground water quality is adversely affected at many places due to high concentration of some parameters specially nitrate. Adequate sanitary protection to the wells may be provided to control the nitrate contamination.

SPECIAL GEOLOGICAL/GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

Village Nangartas Taluka Jalna, V-Shaped River valley :-

It is V-Shaped deep valley structure (3 to 5 m depth) found within local stream. People assume that Lord Prabhu Ramchandra had used plough at this portion of land hence the name of this place resumed as Nangartas. Geologically this depression is formed due to the deformation and errosion of veins, which clearly exposed and observed in the upstream portion of stream about 1.5 to 2 km near Shambhu Sawargaon Mahadev Temple. These features are commonly forms due to fast flowing rate of  water in upland areas.

Village Nangartas Taluka Jalna, Colluvium Deposits :-

These features are commonly forms in the area due to fast flowing rate of water in upstream side of the stream. The stream is having heavy transported load of boulders, pebbles and cobbles. They are also deposited due to moving of material from hill top associated with bank of stream. It is the combine effect of stream transport and rolling of material from hill top.

Village Shambhu Sawargaon Taluka Jalna, Pahoehoe flow & Pipe vescicles:-

Middle portion of pahoehoe flow is exposed at Shambhu Mahadev temple showing pipe vescicles at bottom of top flow and amygdaloidal top surface.

Village Shambhu Sawargaon Taluka Jalna, Caves :-

Within the pahoehoe flow caves are located. Where Mahadev temple is created and small sculpture is observed on the cave walls. Soft nature of rock formation is suggested by this artificial stone work.

Village Gosavi Pangri Taluka Mantha, Calcitic Vein :-

Interconnected network of calcite vein is observed in stream bed while moving from Shambhu Sawargaon to Nangartas roadside. These are crack seal veins. These veins are thought to form during deformation. These are indication of stress activity and neo-tectonic movements. Such large number of veins are observed in this area.

Village Gosavi Pangri Taluka Mantha, Basaltic vein :-

This defines the zone of late crystallization, it indicates joints, fissure opening or weak zone in the host rock. Geologically these veins are formed from more evolved magmas as they are last phase or left final fluid of volcanic eruption. They are crystallized later than the host rock. This crystallized vein is fine grained and glassy in character due to the faster cooling.

Village Nagapur Taluka Jalna, Panoramic view of Ideal Watershed :-

This Panoramic view of Ideal Watershed with water conservation structures near village Nagapur to Pathrud ghat section.

Village Malshendra Taluka Jalna, Semi Precious Stones :-

The village Malshendra is well known for Semi Precious Stones in Jalna District. Here semi precious stones are found in veins and geoids. Most common minerals found are Quartz, Calcite and Chert. During interaction with the local people we come to know that these minerals are found in few cubic feet to hundreds of cubic feet in dimension.

Village Bazar Wahegaon Taluka Badnapur, Porphyritic Basalt :-

Typical mega crystic porphery basaltic flow observed in village Bazar Wahegaon Taluka Badnapur. The length of crystal (more than 3 cm) indicates viscous nature and extremely slow rate of magma cooling.