Soil erosion estimation in G-K watershed using geospatial techniques and universal soil loss equation (USLE)

Soil erosion is arncritical environmental problem that significantly affects agricultural productivity,rnwater quality and ecosystem sustainability. The G-K (Ghaggar-Karnal) Watershed,rnsituated in the semi-arid zones of Haryana and Punjab, is particularlyrnvulnerable to soil erosion due to high-intensity rainfall events, anthropogenicrnland-use changes and poor conservation practices. This study estimates thernaverage annual soil loss in the G-K Watershed using the Universal Soil LossrnEquation (USLE) integrated with Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic InformationrnSystem (GIS) techniques. Various thematic layers, such as rainfall erosivityrn(R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), land cover (C) andrnconservation practice (P) were generated using satellite imagery, digitalrnelevation models (DEM) and field data. The results reveal spatial variation inrnerosion, with critical areas showing erosion rates above 40 tons/ha/year. Thesernfindings emphasize the need for immediate soil and water conservationrninterventions in high-risk sub-watersheds. Soil erosion posesrna major threat to land productivity, hydrological balance and environmentalrnsustainability in watershed regions across India. The G-K (Ghaggar-Karnal)rnWatershed, covering parts of Haryana and Punjab, is highly susceptible to soilrndegradation due to intensive agriculture, deforestation, erratic rainfall andrnimproper land management practices. Soil erosion not only reduces soilrnfertility but also contributes to siltation in reservoirs and degradation ofrnwater quality downstream. Accurate estimation and spatial assessment of soilrnerosion rates are essential for implementing effective soil conservationrnstrategies. This study aims to estimate soil erosion in the G-K Watershed usingrnthe Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) integrated with Geographic InformationrnSystem (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) techniques.