Physico-Cultural Environment of Kunah Khad Watershed

Abstract

Water demand is growing as the world population is growing.  On the other hand, water resources are limited, increasing demand for various water uses and decreasing access to good-quality water as most of the nearby and good-quality sources have already been overexploited. Urban sprawling and population growth in countries like India, leads to increasing stress on water resources, because of growing demand for drinking, irrigation and industrial needs. The increase in the usage of water has affected both surface and groundwater supplies, resulting in an acute water crisis. In addition, low-intensity and erratic monsoons create shortages of surface-water supply. As a result, the demand for groundwater resources has increased tremendously, causing a drastic decline of groundwater levels. Over-exploitation of groundwater has led to the drying up of the water bodies in several parts of the country. It is, therefore, essential to increase the recharge of the basin.  Therefore we should have an area which should have some common properties in relation to land water and human resources or physical & cultural properties. For this purpose we require a watershed. A watershed is an area having common drainage. This means that the rain water falling on an area within a ridge line will flow out of this area through a single point. In a watershed the area is inter- dependent in terms of physical & cultural aspects. In a watershed slope, vegetation, grass cover, drainage and its  characteristics, geology and other physical characteristics are need to be studies with the cultural aspects of the region . If a watershed is well managed for the water, it is best managed for all other resources.Watershed is not simply the hydrological unit but also socio-political-ecological entity which plays crucial role in determining food, social, and economical security and provides life support services to rural people. Watershed development and management plans are very important for harnessing surface water and groundwater resources. To prepare a comprehensive watershed development plan, it becomes necessary to understand the topography, erosional status and drainage pattern of the area. This study was undertaken to understand the physico-cultural characteristics of KunahKhad watershed in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh.