Assessment of the Vulnerability of Land and Water Resources at the Sub-Basin Scale of One of the Sensitive Catchments of the Mahanadi River Basin, India
Authors :- Kar, R., Patel, P.
Publication :- Environmental Modeling & Assessment (Springer), 2025
The Mand Watershed (MW) plays a critical role in transporting suspended sediments and runoff to the Mahanadi River, making the study of its Soil and Water Vulnerability (SWV) essential. This research integrates remote sensing and geographic information systems with multi-criteria decision-making approaches to evaluate the SWV of the MW and propose sustainable measures. The MW is divided into 26 Sub-Catchments (SC) to enhance spatial resolution and account for topographical diversity. A SWV map is created using the revised weighted sum method and analytical hierarchy process, considering parameters such as watershed-specific variables, soil erosion, sediment generation rate, sediment transport index, and runoff depth. The map categorizes vulnerability into five classes based on a standardized index. Results indicate that 19% and 31% of the MW are at critically high and very high risk of soil degradation, respectively. The proposed map, validated with 82% accuracy against reference data, effectively identified priority conservation areas. Sensitivity analysis confirmed soil erosion and sediment transport as dominant vulnerability factors. Site-specific conservation measures were recommended: check dams for forested/barren SCs and land leveling, contour bunds, and vegetative barriers for agricultural SCs. The study provides a scalable framework for prioritizing soil–water conservation in monsoon-driven watersheds, aiding policymakers in targeted resource management.