Watershed characterization and prioritization of a semi-arid region using remote sensing and GIS

Student name: Mr Rajesh Ramamoorthy
Guide: Dr Chander Kumar Singh
Year of completion: 2015
Host Organisation: TERI University
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Chander Kumar Singh

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Abstract: Semi-arid regions across the globe are undergoing severe water stress due to increasing demands while tackling the impacts of climate change. Watershed management has been an important component to manage water resources optimally due with its linkages with land. Remote sensing and GIS has proved to be an effective tool for managing spatial data used in watershed planning. This study uses morphometric parameters to characterize the subwatersheds of a semi-arid region in Northern India. Land use land cover analysis together with morphometric parameters have been used to derive watershed priority on the basis of erosion susceptibility. 61 watersheds were classified as very high and high priority requiring immediate soil conservation measures to be adopted .The output of this study can be used by organizations working at a micro level to focus their efforts on those subwatersheds where erosion risk is the highest.

Keywords: Watershed, Morphometry, GIS, Semi-arid, Prioritization