Soil erosion is a silent killer converting fertile lands into barren patches thus accelerating the runoff velocities to fur-ther aggravate the erosion cycle. This study attempts to lo-cate the most erodible locations known as erosion hotspots, for the site Kaas Plateau which is an ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ) of Western Ghat, Maharashtra, India. A com-bined tool of Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Geographical Information System (GIS) is employed for this study. According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), the Study area (Kaas Plateau) is a globally important treas-ure of biological diversity as it represents many endemic species of flowering plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates. To achieve the goals of this study, the RUSLE factors were calculated using the data collected from past literature of the study area, National Beaureu of Soil Survey, Land use and Planning Department, Nagpur, Environmental Infor-mation System Department, Government of Maharashtra, Digital Elevation Model and satellite image. The rainfall- runoff erosivity factor (R) was derived from mean annual rainfall data. The soil data from past study was used to de-velop the soil erodibility factor (K). A Digital Elevation Model of the study area was used to develop the topographic factor (LS). Cover management factor (C) and Support prac-tice factor (P) were determined from satellite image and con-tour cultivation classes and DEM respectively. The loss of topsoil results in low crop yield, reduction of reservoir ca-pacity, cost increase of water treatment and damaging effects on aquatic life and wildlife habitats. An initial step for taking conservation measures in any land is to identify critical loca-tions where erosion protection measures are needed....
Authors: Prasanna D. Dahe, Prashant G. Borate.