Identification of the Potential Areas/Sites for Rain Water Harvesting and Agriculture Development Using GIS and Remote Sensing in District Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Water resources are rapidly depleting in both rural and urban areas of Pakistan due to increasing demands from agriculture and domestic use. This study aims to identify potential rainwater harvesting sites and evaluate the surface runoff potential for sustainable water resource management in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, utilizing GIS and remote sensing (RS) techniques. The research involves both laboratory and field work. Results were validated through a field survey using handheld GPS, while laboratory analysis was performed using ARCGIS software with the Multi-Influencing Factor (MIF) Model. This model incorporates soil classes, slope, geology, and drainage density, analyzed through detailed maps and scales. Geospatial modeling techniques, combined with ground data, led to the identification of several potential rainwater harvesting sites, primarily in the northern and northwestern parts of the district. A total of 26 sites were selected for rainwater harvesting interventions, located on areas ranging from flat to gentle slopes with elevations below 300 meters. The findings of this study can assist the Soil and Water Conservation Department of KP, which is responsible for rainwater harvesting initiatives in the region. The maps produced using the MIF Approach are valuable tools for engineers, planners, and decision-makers in locating and developing dams, storage ponds, and check dams, and for integrating rainwater harvesting into national water policies.