ToR - Hiring of Technical Consultant/Agency for Hydrogeological and Aquifer Study Using Participatory Approaches for Natural Resource, Watershed...

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Hiring of Technical Consultant/Agency for Hydrogeological and

Aquifer Study Using Participatory Approaches for Natural Resource,

Watershed and Groundwater Management in DSC Programme Areas

Background

Development Support Centre (DSC) is a Gujarat-based resource organisation working in participatory natural resource management, watershed development, sustainable agriculture, water resources management and livelihood enhancement.

Groundwater is an important source of water for drinking, domestic use, agriculture and rural livelihoods across DSC programme areas. Its availability and sustainability vary according to rainfall, geology, geomorphology, aquifer characteristics, land use, groundwater abstraction, recharge and watershed conditions.

DSC proposes to undertake a Hydrogeological and Aquifer Study across selected programme areas in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The study will combine participatory primary-data collection, secondary-data analysis, hydrogeological interpretation and Remote Sensing/GIS inputs to support improved planning of groundwater recharge, water harvesting, watershed and NRM interventions.

The assignment will cover all seven study blocks through two common phases:

Phase 1 – Preliminary Assessment: October 2026 to March 2027

Phase 2 – Detailed Assessment and Finalisation: April 2027 to September 2027 All seven blocks will be covered in both phases.

Study Coverage

No.

State

District

Block

1

Gujarat

Aravalli

Meghraj

2

Madhya Pradesh

Agar Malwa

Barod

3

Maharashtra

Nandurbar

Dhadgaon

4

Dhulia

Sakri

5

Akkalkuva

6

7

Dondaicha

The exact programme villages, watersheds/micro-watersheds and geographical coverage within these blocks will be finalised during inception.

The study will be consolidated across all seven blocks while retaining adequate block-, watershed-, aquifer- and location-specific analysis wherever required.

2. Objectives

The overall objective is to develop a scientific understanding of groundwater and aquifer conditions within DSC programme areas and provide technically sound and practical recommendations for NRM, watershed and groundwater-management programmes.

Specific objectives are to:

Characterise geology, geomorphology, drainage, watershed and hydrogeological conditions.

Identify major shallow and deeper aquifer systems and understand groundwater occurrence, movement, storage and recharge characteristics.

Assess groundwater levels, seasonal variation, historical trends, well productivity and groundwater-use patterns.

Assess groundwater conditions and stress by integrating primary observations with relevant secondary datasets.

Identify important groundwater-quality concerns a;ecting drinking-water and productive use.

Assess existing NRM, water-harvesting and groundwater-recharge interventions from a hydrogeological perspective.

Identify and prioritise suitable areas and strategies for groundwater recharge, water harvesting, watershed treatment and groundwater-demand management.

Develop an integrated Groundwater/Aquifer Management Plan with location-specific recommendations for DSC programmes.

Submission Guidelines

Interested Consultants/Agencies shall submit separate Technical and Financial Proposals in PDF format.

Last Date and Time: on or before 20 th September 2026 at 6:00 PM (IST)

Submission Email: [contact details removed]

Contact for Clarification

Contact Person: [contact details removed]

Website: www.dscindia.org

For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below