Global Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Issue 1, 2012, 34-48 . © GJSET Publishing, 2012. http://www.gjset.org 34 Estimation of Ground Water Recharge in Shankergarh block of Allahabad (India) using Remote Sensing and Statistical Approach KISHAN SINGH RAWAT 1 *, ANIL KUMAR MISHRA 1 , GEORGE PAUL 2 AND RAKESH KUMAR 3 1 Water Technology Centre, 3 Division of Agricultural physics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-12, INDIA 2 Division of Civil, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-12, INDIA ks_rawat2002@yahoo.com Abstract: - The present research work was undertaken to estimate the ground water recharge in Shankergarh block, Allahabad (India) during the year 2008. The data set used consisted of satellite derived rainfall and actual evapotranspiration and SCS-CN model estimated runoff values. The monthly values of the different components of water balance equation were estimated and subsequently the ground water recharge was estimated for the study area. The annual ground water recharge was found to be approximately 0.39 meter, which is nearly equal to estimated value of GWR (0.36 meter) from empirical model (Amritsar formula). The recharge was most prominent during the months of May, June, July, August, September and October because study area start rainfall occurring from April till October according to remote sensing data and record of last four years (2007-2010) rainfall data from Hydromet Division, India Meteorological Department, Allahabad district. The study gave a clear picture of the water accounting of the study area. A major portion of the precipitation was loss as runoff but a good part of rainfall going as ground water recharge and this can be attributed to the fact that the study region is predominantly an agricultural region. The precipitation is distributed evenly through the monsoon season and the runoff generated was very high (Annual runoff=880.35 mm) as compare to the ground water recharge (Annual GWR=393.69 mm). Key-words: - Ground water; MODIS, MOD16, NOAA, rainfall, remote sensing and GIS, Water Balance. 1 Introduction The growing world population has put a lot of strain on natural resources. Water as one of these resources is of absolute importance in regard to the health and economy of all countries. The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development regards [1] water as one of the main issues facing the world [2]. The scarce water resources in arid and semi-arid regions are very obviously under increasing stress from the growing human population and are the focus of many challenges [3]. In the present times groundwater forms the primary drinking water source in arid and semi-arid regions, since river flows are unreliable and large fresh lakes are ephemeral or no longer exist [4]. Despite the increasing water stress in these areas, there is great diversity of physical environments and patterns of human occupation. Agriculture continues to play a central role in the livelihoods especially in under developing countries. Reliable water supplies, particularly those from groundwater are the lead input for increasing yields, reducing agricultural risk and stabilizing farm incomes. Over the past few decades the rules of use and exploitation have changed dramatically by the introduction of advanced drilling technology for groundwater, as well as the introduction of mechanized pumps [4]. In practice, falling water levels testify to probable over development and inadequate scientific understanding of the resources [4]. The effects of this include; degradation of groundwater quality, either as salinity increase or an increase in other undesirable constituents in the water, land surface changes in the form of general or local subsidence, disruption of the natural hydrological cycle due to reduced infiltration and