Site Suitability Analysis of Soil and Water Conservation Structures in Sillod Watershed, Maharashtra, India using Geographic Information System Approach: A Case Study

Abstract

Watershed development and management programs envisage the development activities along with sustainable utilization of natural resources would raise the living standards of watershed inhabitants. Construction of soil and water conservation structures is the main activity of watershed development program. Location of soil and water harvesting structures in watershed is very important factor for efficient watershed development program. Construction of water harvesting structures at best suitable location will not only conserve the water optimally but also prevent unnecessary huge investment on unproductive structures. Satellite remote sensing provides reliable and accurate information on natural resources, which is pre-requisite for planned and balanced development at watershed level. Geographic information system (GIS) is used as a tool for the case study of GP-IV watershed in Sillod area Aurangabad district, Maharashtra India, for selecting best suitable sites for water harvesting structures and also soil conservation structures position is suggested. The various thematic maps such as land use land cover, slope map and soil map were prepared which will be necessary for selecting best suitable site for construction of water harvesting structures. 15 water harvesting structures and six percolation tanks were proposed at suitable location according to guidelines suggested by Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD), Department of Space, Govt. of India. For suggesting soil conservation structures, slope map is prepared according to land capability classes from digital elevation model and different structures are suggested for group of classes. The Thronthwaite Mather water balance technique is used to predict stream runoff for the same watershed.
Keywords: Geographic information system, watershed management, soil conservation, runoff estimation, surface water balance