Land resource inventories for integrated land use planning with special reference to the catchment of Pohru river in Jammu and Kashmir state

Abstract

A Soil and land Use Map of Pohru catchment was prepared through the adoption of a systematic Air Photo-interpretation procedure including selective field studies in such a manner that the ten delineated mapping units were co-extensive with major Land Resource Areas. Defined in terms of physiography, soil profile, soil erosion and present land use each of the ten units has unique characteristics requiring differential management, which was arrived at through joint field studies by Pedologists who prepared the Map, Foresters, Soil Conservationists, Agronomists. a Horticulturist and an Agricultural Chemist. Stemming from this integrated effort a Land Use Plan for the catchment was drawn up with its major objective as the conservation of Land and Soil Resources leading to a reduction in sediment yields that are now so high as to clog the Jhelum river at the polnt where Pohru river joins it. In respect of four Land Resource areas, the plan prescribes radical readjustments of Land Use such as conversion of Forest Department owned Himalayan Southern slopes to grass lands, change of cropping pattern in Karewa side slopes and conversion of the northern and southern Himalayan footslopes now under cultivation into orchards. The areal extents of the different Land Resource Areas as also the cost of implementing the conservation recommendations have been furnished for every one of the twentyeight watersheds falling under the eight subcatchments of the Pohru catchment. The total cost of implementing the conservation recommendations approximates to about fifty five million rupees.