Utility of Soil Maps for Watershed Treatment in the Siwaliks

Problems of erosion, land slips, land slides, etc. in the Siwaliks and the subsequent adverse effects of sedimentation and floods in the plains are causing concern from the assessment that Bhakra reservoir may be silted up within a period of about 150 years instead of 600 years according to the original estimations of life span of the reservoir and the Sukhna Lake may be silted up within 15 years at the present rate of sedimentation. The paper deals with the delineation of significant soil units and the interpretation of soil map to highlight specific problems and treatment needed with respect to various land capability units which may be co-extensive with a soil mapping unit, or a group of similar units in the Sukhna watershed at Chandigarh. Scientific watershed planning based on soil maps will help rejuvenation of forests and grasslands for much needed fuel and industries besides stopping denudation and sedimentation.