Mapping and Monitoring of Asan Watershed Using Geospatial Technology

Human population growth and the resulting stress on natural resources contribute to the over-exploitation and depletion of land and water resources. This is often influenced by unsustainable management practices, poverty, high population density, agricultural activities, infrastructure development, limited market access and government policies. A watershed refers to a basin that collects water from various streams and channels it into a common outlet, connecting adjacent drainage basins. Watershed management entails implementing strategies to sustain and enhance the roles of watersheds in providing necessary commodities, services and values. Geospatial technology, including Remote sensing (RS) and Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), has proven effective in managing water resources and prioritizing watershed areas. This eco-friendly approach involves the prudent utilization of natural resources and environmentally conscious engagement with institutions, organizations and communities. Research underscores the importance of GIS and RS in mapping and monitoring the Asan watershed for effective water resource management and development. The studied watershed features the highest sixth-order stream. The maximum and minimum elevations in the area were recorded at 262 and 222.1 ms, respectively. A Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) analysis was conducted using ArcGIS 10.3, a Remote Sensing and GIS software, to assess changes in the watershed’s land use pattern between 2005 and 2020, spanning 15 years. The study revealed a decrease in water bodies of approximately 2.10% and an increase in built-up areas by around 2.25%. Furthermore, satellite imagery indicates a shift towards more agricultural plantations than traditional crop cultivation among farmers. Remote Sensing and GIS represent fast-emerging techniques for effectively investigating and managing watershed resource planning and management are compared to traditional methods.