Micro-Watershed Planning using Prioritisation Approach Integrated with Geospatial Techniques and Compromise Programming: A Case Study of Bacchanshiv Gad (Alaknanda River), India

Abstract

A micro-watershed is the smallest hydrological unit with a unique type of common-pool resource, defined by hydrological linkages and requiring coordinated use of natural resources by all users for optimal management. However, the watersheds in the central Himalayan region are particularly vulnerable to land degradation since they are subject to various fluvial and denudation processes. As a result, the present study focused on the Bacchanshiv Gad watershed in the subtropical zone, where soil erosion is more prevalent due to various hydro-geomorphological causes. The analysis considered fourteen different areal, linear, shape, and landscape morphometric parameters by integrating spatial and compromise statistical programming techniques to prioritize 8 micro-watersheds. Moreover, the study gives comprehensive insight about the current land use land cover spatial distribution, lithological and pedan characteristics of the watershed that play a significant role in taking appropriate land and water conservation measures to prevent further soil degradation.