Sub-basin prioritization using remote sensing and geographical information system techniques

Land resource development programmes are applied generally on a watershed basis. Delineation of watersheds or subbasins within a large drainage basin and their prioritization is required for proper planning and management of natural resources for sustainable crop production. Morphometric analysis is commonly applied to prioritization of watersheds or sub-basins. The present study attempts to prioritize sub-basins based on morphometric analysis using remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) techniques in Jharol river basin of Udaipur district, Rajasthan, India. Various morphometric parameters, namely linear and shape have been determined for each subbasins and assigned ranks on the basis of value/relationship, so as to arrive at a compound parameter values for a final ranking of the sub-basins and prioritization rating of five sub-basin of Jharol river basin is carried out. The sub-basin with the lowest compound parameter value is given the highest priority. The prioritization results revealed that subbasin 4 ranked highest, which compound parameter value was lowest as 2.375 and were considered as high priority for conservation measures by planners and decision makers; hence, it should be provided with immediate soil and water conservation measures.