Nagaland University study advocates GIS based solutions to combat soil erosion

LUMAMI: A new study by researchers from Nagaland University has called for the adoption of scientific and geospatial technology-driven approaches to tackle the growing problem of soil erosion in the hilly regions of Northeast India.

The study warns that soil erosion is emerging as a major environmental and ecological challenge in the eastern Himalayan region, severely affecting agricultural productivity, water resources, and ecological balance.

Researchers noted that the crisis is being intensified by steep slopes, heavy rainfall, deforestation, unscientific land-use practices, and rising human interventions such as shifting cultivation, mining, and infrastructure development.

Focusing on the Siji watershed in Assam’s Gai River Basi, considered one of the most erosion-prone areas in the Northeast — the research employed the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS)-based modelling to assess soil erosion and sediment transport patterns.

The study analysed critical factors including rainfall intensity, soil properties, slope gradient, land-use patterns, and conservation practices to identify erosion hotspots and estimate soil loss across micro-level watershed units.

The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Discover Geoscience, brought out by Springer Nature. The research paper was co-authored by M. S. Rawat, research scholar Tulumoni Gogoi, and Pradeep Kumar Rawat.

Speaking on the significance of the study, Jagadish K. Patnaik said the research marks a significant step toward addressing one of Northeast India’s most pressing environmental challenges.

“Integrating geospatial technology can effectively guide conservation efforts, ensuring reduced soil degradation while promoting sustainable land-use practices. Such research contributes to long-term environmental sustainability, strengthens agricultural productivity, and improves water resource management in the region,” he said.

According to the study, areas with dense forest cover and gentle slopes recorded minimal erosion, while regions characterised by steep slopes, croplands, barren terrain, and human disturbances such as road construction and mining faced significantly higher erosion risks. In several locations, erosion rates were found to be alarmingly high, posing serious threats to land stability and local ecosystems.

Explaining the proposed mitigation measures, Prof. Rawat said the researchers recommend adopting an Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) approach.

“This includes developing sustainable land-use plans and implementing mechanical and biological measures such as contouring, terracing, and vegetation cover to reduce soil loss and improve water management,” he said.

The researchers noted that the watershed-based modelling approach enables a more precise and location-specific understanding of how natural and human-induced factors interact within a drainage basin. By integrating spatial data layers, the model helps identify erosion hotspots and prioritise high-risk zones for targeted intervention instead of relying on uniform conservation measures.

The study further underlined that the proposed framework could be replicated in other regions with similar geographical and environmental conditions, both within India and internationally.

Highlighting the urgency for timely intervention, the researchers also called for future studies focusing on flood prediction models and improved environmental monitoring systems, particularly in view of increasing climate-related impacts and expanding human activities across the region.