Dr. Mustaq Shaikh is a distinguished Senior Geologist at the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA), Maharashtra, India, with a robust academic and professional career focused on hydrogeology, groundwater management, and sustainable agricultural practices. Holding a Ph.D., Dr. Shaikh has made significant contributions to the field through extensive research, publications, and active involvement in national and international projects. His expertise spans groundwater depletion, artificial recharge, and the integration of geospatial technologies in water resource management, particularly in the basaltic terrain of Solapur, Maharashtra.
Dr. Shaikh’s academic journey includes notable achievements at Shivaji University, where he excelled in both academics and athletics. He secured multiple accolades in handball and track events, including gold and bronze medals at IIT Bombay and first-place finishes in Shivaji University’s zonal sports events. His athletic prowess earned him the title of Best Sportsman at D.B.F. Dayanand College, Solapur, for four consecutive years (2002–2006).
Professionally, Dr. Shaikh has been instrumental in advancing groundwater management initiatives, including the Atal Bhujal Yojana and Jal Jeevan Mission. Since joining GSDA in 2006, he has progressed from Assistant Geologist to Senior Geologist, contributing to projects like aquifer mapping, water quality assessment, and the Maharashtra Groundwater Act 2009. His leadership extends to serving on key committees, such as the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority and the District Planning Committee for Atal Bhujal Yojana in Solapur.
Dr. Shaikh’s research portfolio is extensive, with publications in reputed journals like Springer’s Techno-Societal series, Bulletin of Pure and Applied Sciences, and ERPA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. His work, often in collaboration with colleagues like Farjana Birajdar, focuses on groundwater sustainability, GIS-based multi-criteria evaluations, and socioeconomic analyses of rural agriculture. Notable publications include studies on water stress prioritization in the Yedari River Basin (2016, 2019), solid waste disposal site demarcation in Solapur (2023), and groundwater depletion in agricultural regions (2024). He has also presented at international conferences, such as Geomatix 2012 and ISCCCC 2012, on topics like glacier monitoring and geospatial technologies.
As a reviewer for journals like the International Journal of Science and Research and Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, Dr. Shaikh contributes to maintaining scientific rigor in the field. He is a life member of prestigious organizations, including the Indian Water Resources Society, Indian Science Congress Association, and Indian Society of Remote Sensing.
Dr. Shaikh’s commitment to education is evident in his role as a Board of Studies member for Geology and Geography at Walchand Arts and Science College, Solapur. His work bridges science and policy, offering actionable recommendations for sustainable groundwater management and community-driven conservation efforts, particularly in drought-prone regions like Solapur. Through his research, leadership, and community engagement, Dr. Mustaq Shaikh continues to shape the future of water resource management in India.