GIS Based Soil Erosion Estimation Using Rusle Model: A Case Study of Upper Kangsabati Watershed, West Bengal, India

Abstract

An accelerated rate of soil erosion is a serious and continuous endemic environmental problem in the western part of West Bengal. The present study is carried out in the upper Kangsabati watershed of Puruliya district, West Bengal with an area of 276.19 km2. It is fact that the surface runoff of seasonal rainfall is more in this area due to its sloping terrain characteristics. Average annual soil erosion has been estimated based on the five parameters defined in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and with the help of Geographical Information technology. Overlay of five parameters, viz., rainfalla��runoff erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), slope length and steepness factor (LS), cover and management factor (C) and support and conservations practices factor (P) has been done in GIS platform. Potential average annual soil erosion of the watershed has been classified into four categories.