Quantification of natural groundwater recharge is a basic prerequisite for efficient groundwater resource management and is particularly vital in an area where shallow groundwater is mostly polluted with highly toxic elements. It is especially critical where large and concentrated demand for groundwater supplies exist such as in urban areas, industrial zones and irrigated fields.

Geographic Information System (GIS) was utilized to apply a modified DRASTIC method to assess the aquifer vulnerability to pollution of English Bazar Block of Malda District, West Bengal, India. In the western, central and southern parts of the study area the aquifer is prone to contamination. Therefore, in these regions pesticides, which may contain arsenic or arsenic rich groundwater, should not be used in irrigated land or mango orchards. In order to understand the reliability of the aquifer vulnerability, sensitivity analysis was carried out.