CS(AR)-217 : Integration of remote sensing and GIS to assess erosion In Dhuandhar watershed in Narmada basin

Abstract

Universal Soil Loss Equation estimates mean soil erosion from a land surface. This erosion is caused due to rain splashes, sheet and rills. The catchment area under study is Dhuandhar, Banjar, Narmada basin. Area of the catchment is 54 sq. km. This catchment is drained by Dhuandhar and Patpara streams. Input to USLE are digital soil, land use maps and percent slopes. Values of several USLE factors are those given in literatures. The 'L' factor is that used in a case study for the catchment. The 'K' factor is based on soil texture data. Soil texture is found for two soil samples collected from field. A digital elevation map (DEM) is computed from a 1:50000 topographic map with 20 metres contour interval. Percent slope and mean annual soil erosion is computed in PC based GIS, ILWIS and ERDAS packages. Agricultural land and forests are protected from soil erosion due to good cover and management practices. Mean annual soil erosion is large from bare upland. Thus, upland may be afforested and many soil conservation measures may be adopted.