River Catchment Area Health – KRiSHNA

Diagnose the Land Use and Land Cover Pattern and structure of the catchment area

Describing the shifts in conditions of land are termed as land use and land cover changes. The term Land cover refers to the surface cover of land above the earth, including the wide area of attributes such as plantations, soil, forest, grassland, etc. which means it is the natural biophysical state and appearance of the earth’s surface. Land use changes are fundamentally due to human interventions for deriving mainly economic benefits to them. Based on land use, land cover can be changed from one form to another, and it can also be due to natural disturbances.

In a river ecosystem, the land use -land cover changesin the river source or the catchment area disturbance can severely influence the ecosystem’s natural habitat, causing extreme events like heavy flooding due to the increased runoff and the change in the flood plains, introducing of toxic pollutants to the environment, encroachment of riverine areas, increased sedimentation, nutrients and other pollution in the stream, etc. The change in land use may or may not result in a substantial alteration in the land cover of the ecosystem.

Distinguishing the current condition and changes in the land use and land cover of the catchment area can give a comprehensive picture of the represented area. Identifying such knowledge can give transparency to the area and ultimately it can be used to identify and act on risks.

Ecosystem degradation is the indication of ecosystem disturbances by the intrusion of humans or by natural changes. The depletion of the environment and natural resources can cause the destruction and extinction of nature and the ecosystem. The multiple loss of resources can cause a complex impairment of the environment.

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.

Promote only a Sustainable Land Use planning

An ecologically healthy environment requires sustainable land use planning. A land use choice requires adherence to environmental principles and guidelines. The primary concern for land use planning is to examine and consider the surrounding environment and regional data that could be affected by the land use decisions, such as soils, the pattern of water movement, etc.
Sustainable land use practices should conserve the ecosystem by protecting the environment and avoiding the depletion of natural resources and should eliminate the introduction of non-native species in the area. Unscientifically planned developments and land use may obliterate the indigenous species to migrate from the environment or become extinct locally. This also can lead to the replacement of many native plants and animals by invasive and more aggressive species. Depending upon the functional capacity of the environment, land use decisions need to be planned, taking into account the nature-based solutions for external vulnerabilities like climate change risks with the help of scientists and local community participation.

What are the possible action steps?

Analysis of the site: identifying and assessing the ecological and socioeconomic condition of the target area
Mapping the current environment to clearly illustrate the environmental conditions
Identifying and understanding the scope, limitation, and impact of land use decision
Observation and identification of the local user groups like farmers, fishers, or indigenous people’s response and involvement in land use planning

Understand the related laws and legislation for the proposed planning
Review the current land use policies and plan for the respective ecosystem of the state
Finalize the land use plan decision in a participatory manner according to the laws and policies and other regulations and customs.

Identify the current and predicted environmental, social, and economic impacts
Evaluate the analyzed work with the expert group of advisory committees.

Develop a work plan that has been finalized and agreed upon by all and assign tasks and activities
Provide/mobilize financial and technical support
Develop a small area planning committee containing the representatives of each category.
Involve representatives of the local community, elected members of the local government, and other stakeholders like public representatives, government departments, and local institutions.

Involve the Grama Sabha in planning and land use decision making
Seek voluntary support from the interested men and women of the locality
Conduct frequent meetings/workshops/media coverage for more publicity and public participation for getting additional suggestions and reviews from the public

Ensure the final plan is in compliance with rules and regulations at national and subnational levels
Ensure that the final decision is correct with an appropriate choice such as approval or conditional approval or rejection of the proposal

Review and ensure that the objective has been achieved
Identify and report the success and failure of the project
Initiate modification in the planif necessary