Catchment Area disturbances
A catchment area or basin is an area of land that drains into the water body which is usually bounded by mountains having a natural landscape. The Watershed is the boundary of an adjoining large catchment area. The activities in the catchment area are essential for understanding the condition of a river. The impacts of a catchment will eventually affect the river’s health which means an unhealthy catchment can cause an unhealthy stream and it is depending upon the physical and land use changes in the area. Good geological conditions, climatic conditions, the chemistry of river water, the texture of the soil, etc. are the essential factor of a healthy river catchment area.
The disturbance in the catchment area is predominantly by anthropological activities. Changes in the forest cover, clearance of natural vegetation, urbanization, agriculture, usage of chemicals, etc. are major human activities and they can also be caused by natural disturbances such as forest fires, flooding, etc.
Implementation of stream buffer protection is one of the effective measures to manage the catchment area and the surrounding ecosystem from human intervention.
Comprehensive watershed management involves the various are of interlinked resource management such as soil, water, land, and forest with the participatory approach of the social system.
Proper planning of water resource management, watershed protection, conservation, and proper land use gives a balanced approach to river health management and can provide sustainable social, economic, cultural, and ecological health for a river.
A re-established water resource requires long-term conservation. Minimizing resource degradation, maintaining the river water flow and a better sustainable production system can help to protect the long-term management of the watershed ecosystem. Along with the integrated approach of resource management, creating a capacity-building approach in the local community, officials and policymakers will provide efficient and successful goals to achieve sustainable development.