Watershed Prioritization based on LULC Characteristics using GIS and TOPSIS: A case of Chathe watershed

Abstract

Watershed prioritization based on land use and land cover demonstrated the role of different features on possibilities of soil erosion. Sub-watershed prioritization is more crucial to restrict the soil erosion as well as loss of nutrients from the top soil. The study assigned the weight to various LULC features based on their role in soil erosion. Finally with the help of Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), LULC-based prioritization index has been constructed and prioritized the seven sub-watersheds.Highest acreage of agricultural fallow land and barren scrubland with less amount of forest coverage in WS5 turns into more susceptible category compared to others, whereas lower acreage of barren scrubland, agricultural fallow land and cropland with higher coverage of forest in WS6 turns into lower susceptible category.