Spatial Analysis of Tammileru Watershed, A.P., India – A Case Study

Watershed management is the rational utilization of land and water resources for optimum production with minimum hazard to natural resources. Remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques can be utilized for effective management of land and water resources in a watershed. The activities of watershed management mainly include rainwater harvesting structures, soil conservation measures and environmental protection measures. Geographic information systems (GIS) are capable of managing large amounts of spatially related information, providing the ability to integrate multiple layers of information and to derive additional information. An attempt has been made to examine the widespread application of GIS in watershed management in this study. The present study adopted a tailor made methodology to develop themes like land use land cover, geomorphology, lithology, water resources etc. All the themes are integrated and analyzed to address the issues related to land and water management in the study area. The study emphasizes the impact of transportation and settlements on changes in land use and the resulting strain on natural resources. Man-made interventions have been causing susceptible degradation in lithology and geomorphology. As urbanization and agricultural activity increase, the study observes changes in land cover and land use. The goal of this study is to alleviate water scarcity in the study area by using effective water management measures. The study's conclusion is a firm management plan for geoenvironmental assessment in any region.