Sub-Watershed Prioritization of Chambal River Basin Using Morphometric and Topo-Hydrological Parameters

Natural resource management is essential to sustain human well-being and the environment. Water and soil are two of the most important natural resources that require careful management. The western part of India faces multiple challenges, including climatic variability, soil degradation, water scarcity, deforestation, etc. The basin’s sub-watersheds are delineated and prioritised using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Sub Watershed Prioritization Tool (SWPT), respectively, using morphometric and topo-hydrological characteristics, and the sub-watersheds are further ranked using Weighted Sum Analysis (WSA). The findings indicate that SWS19, SWS18, SWS1, SWS17, SWS16, and SWS15, which are drained by the rivers Chambal, Kali Sindh, Mashi, Parbati, Parwan, and Beradi, are highly vulnerable sub-watersheds. By integrating remote sensing, GIS techniques, and quantitative morphometric analysis, parameters such as drainage density, stream frequency, bifurcation ratio, and slope gradient were evaluated. The analysis revealed critical sub-watersheds characterized by steep slopes, high drainage density, and poor vegetation cover, indicating their susceptibility to erosion and runoff. The findings underscore the necessity for targeted soil conservation measures, such as contour bunding, afforestation, and water retention structures. This study highlights the utility of geospatial tools for sustainable watershed management and provides a replicable framework for prioritizing sub-watersheds in similar regions.