SR-14 : A status report on forest hydrology

Abstract

Forests are an integral part of ecosystem. Now a days, the existence of forests is generally recognised and understood as an important factor in the economy of the water resources of the watershed. The water balance is a central tool in any hydrological, climatological or meteorological study involving forest vegetation. The report brings out status of important research work done so far in India and abroad on the hydrological aspects of forested catchments. There are nearly 16 hydrological research stations working in India on some aspects of forested hydrology. Mainly two research organisations viz , Central soil and water conservation research and training institute (CSWCRTI), Dehradun with its canters and Forest research Institute (FRI), and College Dehradun have done some appreciable studies on Hydrology of small forested catchments. The organisations like DVC, CWPRS, CWC, and Central unit of soil and water conservation, MOA, New Delhi etc. have also been carrying out studies on some aspects of forest hydrology.

Today there is a general consensus that the traditional formulae do not work well for forested lands. The need to develop comprehensive models has therefore been felt to estimate and predict the various components of water balance in forested catchments. Such predictions go a long way in planning an efficient forest management and water resources projects. Sophisticated third generation computers and remotely sensed data from satellites provide the required tools in understanding the various aspects of forest hydrology. The most significant advance towards understanding was achieved by the formulation of Rutter model. The other popular models include SWM-IV, SHE, Leavesley, Gash analytical and other regression models. Representative basin studies and experimental basin studies in forested catchments would help a great deal in understanding and identifying specific problems in forest hydrology.