Assessing the Susceptibility of Soil Erosion Using Multi-criteria Decision Method in the Dihing Watershed Region, India

The Himalayan mountainous environment of the northeast region of India is still seriously threatened by soil erosion. Conventional methods have a hard time finding places where soil erosion is likely to happen because they take a long time to collect data and cost a lot of money. However, both at a local and regional level, integrating multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) with a geographical information system (GIS)-based approach can be used to find solutions to these issues. The current study aims to investigate different morphometric characteristics, as well as slope and hypsometry parameters, in order to evaluate places that are vulnerable to soil erosion. The goal is to identify areas where efficient soil conservation measures might be implemented. The watershed was divided into sub-watersheds using topographic maps and SRTM DEM. Measurements of three distinct parameters, including linear, shape, and relief over the sub-watersheds, were used to determine the morphometric characteristics. Based on the integrated analysis of morphometric parameters with slope and hypsometry parameters, sub-watersheds that significantly influence erosion have been ranked using MCDM approach. Compound value, which produces four classes of low, medium, high, and very high priority, was used to rank and prioritize sub-watersheds. The soil erosion susceptibility area was mapped to guide appropriate control measures for preventing soil erosion.