This document discusses how GIS can be used for natural resource management. It provides examples of using GIS to assess watershed management in Uttarakhand, India. Specifically, it details how GIS was used to quantify soil loss and sediment flow under different scenarios, spatially distribute those results, delineate micro-basins and watersheds, and identify suitable areas for water harvesting. The results of this analysis can help inform development actions and priorities by providing spatial information on natural resources and how they vary across a landscape.

1. GIS application in Natural Resource Management By: Achal Gupta

2. Introduction Land is fundamental resource for almost all human uses The use of land resources shaped by the interaction of two broad set of forces Human needs ( socio- economic) Environmental features and processes ( bio -physical)

3. Natural resource are not uniformly distributed but vary spatially and, in consequence, the social and economic development challenges also vary spatially Spatialbased Information is the base for natural resource management

4. GIS

5. Major application of GIS in NRM Resource assessment Change detection Suitability analysis Scenario study Impact assessment etc.

6. Watershed Management in Uttarakhand Soil erosion Siltation Poor water harvesting Abandonment of water harvesting schemes due to siltation and failure of harvesting of the designed runoff Part of Uttarakhand

7. Objectives To quantify the amount of soil loss and sediment flow from the area given To locate possible surface water harvesting areas using GIS

8. Methodology Soil Digital Elevation model Rainfall Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) Soil erosion Normalized difference vegetative index Sediment Yield Overflow Satellite imagery Land use streamflow

9. Result Three scenarios have been considered Scenario 1 : No Soil conservation Scenario 2 : Soil Conservation Scenario 3 : Soil Conservation + tree Planting

10. Spatial Distribution of Soil loss

11. Spatial distribution of sediment flow

12. Amount of soil lost

13. Amount of sediment flow

14. Amount of sediment fill in to dams per year (Ton/year) The amount of sediment flows in to the dam will affect the amount of water available each year This will affect productivity and livelihood of the community

15. Delineation of Micro- Basins

16. Delineation of Watershed

17. Identification of suitable area for water harvest

18. Identification of suitable area for water harvest

19. Remarks GIS is a powerful tool that can be used for NRM Prior to setting development action, information on the resource is vital Knowledge on the spatial dimensions could help to prioritize development actions and helps also to pursue policy makers

20. Thank you