Remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) have been extensively used for their ability to provide better scope for decision making in terms of monitoring and managing various natural resources: water, land, forest, agriculture, natural hazards, climate change, etc. In this chapter, the authors precisely discuss in detail about the various applications of remote sensing and GIS in numerous fields such as monitoring water quality, crop modelling, monitoring wildlife habitat and forest management, application in agriculture and soil science, water resource, as well as natural disaster management. This chapter will also incorporate several case studies where GIS and remote sensing were used as a powerful tool to delineate and monitor environmental changes and take the necessary steps to manage the same. This chapter will thus focus on the importance of remote sensing and GIS and its impact in sound decision-making, which in turn will secure the sustainable utilization of natural resources to reach the requirements of present as well as future generations.

This study investigated the hydrogeological characteristics and groundwater dynamics in the shallow aquifer zones of inner Guwahati city, Assam, India. Sixteen dug wells spread across the city, specifically used for domestic purposes, were selected for this study. Additionally, ten wells were selected for trend analysis. The borehole lithology reveals predominant compositions of clay, sand, and granules, with thin clay cappings indicating significant groundwater potential. Depth-to-water level analysis revealed varying water levels across the study area, with shallow levels in the northern and western regions and gradual deepening toward the eastern and southern parts. The groundwater flow directions show nonuniform patterns and reflect the influence of topography and domestic pumping in urban residential zones. The general groundwater flow direction is toward the Brahmaputra River. Trends in groundwater level, assessed using the Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope, suggest both falling and rising trends across different locations, indicating complex groundwater dynamics influenced by factors such as recharge, extraction, and topography. However, the long-term rainfall data indicate no significant trend over the studied period, suggesting limited natural influence on groundwater level trends. These findings may contribute to a comprehensive understanding of groundwater dynamics in the study area and are essential for sustainable water resource management and mitigation of groundwater depletion risks.

Groundwater is a natural renewable resource vital for any life on Earth. Groundwater management is of emerging concern for the conservation and protection of this resource. With the advent of innovative technologies, managing such resources become easier to some extent. This chapter illustrates some of the advanced technologies, their contribution, challenges and future prospects for the conservation and sustainable management of groundwater. AI methods have become widespread in decision-making in recent years and are accepted globally due to their cost-effectiveness, time-saving, and efficient nature. AI-driven models provide precise analytical modelling, real-time monitoring, and data integration in groundwater management. Innovative AI models can detect the vulnerable regions that are prone to pollution and depletion of groundwater level and can draw the attention of scientists, local people and policymakers for prompt intervention.