Characterization of landform in Keshwa Nala watershed of Mahasamund district using high resolution ALOS-DEM data

In this study, the landforms of the Keshwa Nala Watershed, situated within Agro-ecological Region 11 of Chhattisgarh, were delineated using high-resolution satellite data. The region, characterized by hot moist/dry subhumid conditions, red lateritic and yellow soils, was analyzed using freely available 12.5 m ALOS-DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data to extract terrain parameters. Watershed characterization is crucial for developing sustainable natural resource management systems. The study identified nine landform units—including hills, hill slopes, undulating uplands, undulating lowlands, upper upper valley, lower upper valley, valleys, river belts and flood plains—covering a total area of 13,789.4 hectares. High-resolution ALOS-DEM data was used to delineate five slope classes, while Sentinel-2 data classified six land use/land cover categories: agriculture, forest, habitation, industry, scrublands and waterbody. These insights are essential for effective watershed management and planning.