vol13-part1-Physical by shilpa gupta

Volume: XIII Part: 1 Chapter: 3 Page No:

Chapter 3: Physical and Biotic factors This Volume deals with the 23 Subcatchments which are in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. These 23 Subcatchments are present in 5 Tehsils (Nichar, Kalpa, Sangal, Poo and Morang) of Himachal Pradesh. All of these Subcatchments are beyond Wangtoo. The total area covered by these 23 Subcatchments is 539200 Ha. In the map given below the area highlighted in yellow shows the 23 Subcatchments under consideration and their respective Tehsils:

Legend : River Satluj Tehsil boundary Subcatchment boundary

Satluj being a major river in Himachal Pradesh, it has several tributaries. The 23 Subcatchment which are a part of the Kinnaur district also have a number of these tributaries draining through them. NERIL has undertaken silt sampling surveys along these tributaries of the Satluj. The table given below gives a brief idea of the tributaries of river Satluj that flow through each Subcatchment:

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Sr No 1 2 3 4 5 6

Name of the Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment

no no no no no no

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24

Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment Subcatchment

no 7 no 8 no 9 no 10 no 11 no 12 no 13 no 14 no 15 no 16 no 17 no 18 no 20 no 21 no 22 no 23 no 24

1 2 3 4 5 6

Tributaries Kumuchhalt Nala, Panvi Khad Ramni Khad Duling khad Sitling Khad Baturi khad, Brua khad Shong khad, Chansu khad Rukti khad, Gungrang khad, Hurba khad, Seringcha khad, Kharogla khad, Gograng khad, Mansa khad, Shoney khad, Shushang khad, Kutang khad and Chitkul khad Baspa II Khad beyond Chitkul Wangar Gad & Bhaba Khad Choling khad Kalpa & Kothi khads. Rhogi & Kashti khads. Dumti Khad & Pangi khad Kashang khad Kirang khad Chaso khad Titang & Hogis khad Nesang khad Tidong Khad Rialdung nala Tangling Khad

The 23 Subcatchments of Kinnaur district have varying altitude ranges, rock structure and composition which result in a great variety of landforms, forest types, rainfall patterns, agroecological zones and soil types. This chapter gives a brief idea about these aspects. The description of each parameter can be found in the Technical mapping chapter of this report. 1. Landforms Himachal Pradesh is mountainous region which is a part of the Himalayan range. This Himalayan range is further divided into three sections viz. Outer Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas and Outer Himalayas (Shivaliks). Our area of study is present mainly in the Lesser Himalayas and Greater Himalayas. It is observed that Kinnaur district has four different types of landforms which are spread over diverse areas of the 23 Subcatchments. The landforms observed are:

Sr No 1 2 3 4

Landforms Glaciers Steep to very steep high hills of Greater Himalayas Steep to very steep high hills of Lesser Himalayas Fluvial valleys

Unit 1 2 3 7

Glaciers are large persistent bodies of ice that originate on land and slowly flow due to the stresses induced by their weight. Comprehensive CAT Plan of Satluj River Basin

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Glaciers form where the accumulation of snow and ice exceeds ablation (removal of material from the surface of an object by vaporization, chipping, or other erosive processes). Various studies and estimates of the state of the glaciers have been prepared. One of the most recent studies for Himachal Pradesh in 2004 has documented that there are 2,554 glaciers in the state1. These glaciers cover an area of about 4160 kmÂ˛. Fluvial processes comprise the motion of sediment and erosion or deposition (geology) on the river bed.2 Fluvial valleys are V shaped valleys and are created as a result of stream erosion. The landforms of this region have been represented in the map below for simplicity and clear understanding. The numbers in Orange represent the name of the Subcatchment while the numbers in black represent the units of landforms. The units are allotted to each landform for simpler interpretation.

Fig: Map showing the types of landforms present in Kinnaur district

Legend: Subcatchment boundary River Satluj Steep to very steep high hills of Lesser Himalayas Steep to very steep high hills of Greater Himalayas Glaciers

Inventory of Glaciers and Glacial Lakes and the Identification of Potential Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) affected by Global Warming in the Mountains of the Himalayan Region CSK Himachal Pradesh University; International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research Global Change System for Analysis Research and Training United Nations Environment Programme Resources Centre Asia Pacific. 2 Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

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As observed previously, the 23 Subcatchments have heterogeneous type of landforms. The pie diagram drawn below gives an overall idea of the percentage of area occupied by the various landforms in the entire area under consideration. Thus it is evident that Steep to very steep high hills of Greater Himalayas covers the maximum i.e. 65% of the area under study. Similarly steep to very steep high hills of Lesser Himalayas and Glaciers are present in 16% and 12% area respectively. Fluvial valleys are observed in only 7% area. 2.

consideration. The numbers in white indicate the units allotted to each Forest type.

Forest types

It is observed that the area under consideration has heterogeneous type of forests. The 23 Subcatchments of Kinnaur district have four types of forests. The observed forest types are: Sr No 1.

Forest type Dry alpine forests

Moist alpine forests

Sub-alpine forests Himalayan moist forests

Unit 1 2 3 temperate

The map given below gives an overview of the forest types present in the Subcatchments in Kinnaur district. In the map the color zonations indicate the various landforms observed. The numbers in black are the names of the Subcatchments under

Legend: Subcatchment boundary River Satluj Himalayan moist temperate forests Sub-alpine forests Moist alpine forests Dry alpine forests

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This data of forest types has been analyzed and represented in the pie diagram given below for easy understanding:

Thus it is evident that the Sub-alpine forests are dominant as they are observed in 66% area of Subcatchment no 15. Subalpine forests are the most common type of forests present in the Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh. The other forest types are also present in varying proportions. 2. Rainfall The rainfall of Kinnaur district has three intensities. This area is hilly with altitude ranging from 2,320 to 6,816 meter. It experiences rainfall that ranges from less than 700mm to upto 1000mm. The three rainfall ranges observed are: Sr No

Rainfall range <700 mm 700-750 mm 750-1000 mm

Legend: Subcatchment boundary

The map given below shows the zonations of rainfall intensities in the 23 Subcatchments of Kinnaur district. The color bands show the three rainfall ranges observed. The numbers in black indicate the name of the Subcatchments in the area under consideration.

River Satluj Rainfall range 750-1000mm Rainfall range 700-750mm Rainfall less than 700mm

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period3.The use of the AEZ can form a useful base for agricultural planning and sustainable natural resources management4 Agro-ecological zoning (AEZ) is a methodology to separate areas with similar sets of potentials and constraints (homologous areas) for development. It is a method that uses biophysical attributes of the land such as elevation, climate, land use, soils etc. to cluster areas into homogeneous units5. The Kinnaur district has four different types of Agro-ecological zones which are spread over an area of 488436 Ha. These four AEZâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are: Sr N o

Fig: Showing rainfall pattern in the 23 Subcatchments of Kinnaur district The Subcatchments of Kinnaur district receive rainfall in varying ranges. It is seen that the rainfall intensities differ in a single Subcatchment too where a part of it receives rainfall in the range of 700-750mm while 750-1000mm of rain is observed in the remaining area of the Subcatchment. In order to understand the rainfall of the Kinnaur district in a better manner, the above data has been analysed and represented as a pie chart below: Thus it is evident from the above chart that maximum area of this region is Arid and dry as it receives rainfall below 700mm. About 41% area of Kinnaur district receives 700-750mm of rainfall. While only 5% area of this region receives good rainfall in the range of 750-1000mm. 3.

1 2 3 4

Agro-ecological zone Cold to Warm Semi-arid, Semi-dry, Greater Himalayas with 60-120 days LGP Warm, Dry, Sub-Humid, Greater Himalayas with 120180 days LGP Warm, Sub-humid, Moist, Lesser Himalayas with 180270 days LGP Warm, Perhumid, Lesser Himalayas with 270-300 days LGP

Un it 2 3 5 6

The map given below shows the Agro-ecological zones of the 23 Subcatchments that are present in Kinnaur district. The numbers in white indicate the names of Subcatchment under consideration. The color zonations show the corresponding agro-

Agro-ecological zones 3

Agro-climatic zone is a land unit in terms of major climate, superimposed on length of growing period (moisture availability period) (FAO, 1983) whereas an agro-ecological zone is the land unit carved out of agro- climatic zone superimposed on landform which acts as modifier to climate and length of growing

K.S. Gajbhiye and C. Mandal :Agro-Ecological Zones, their Soil Resource and Cropping Systems: National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur

Climate change adaptations in Himachal Pradesh: Sustainable strategies for Water resources: Asian development bank 5

http://www.hillagric.ernet.in/edu/cobs/gis/index_files/Page1806.htm

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ecological zones of the area. The numbers seen in red indicate the unit of Agro-ecological zones.

Fig: Showing Agro-ecological zones of 23 Subcatchments of Kinnaur district. Since the Agro-ecological zones are too descriptive in nature, they have been given units which are numerical values. The agro-ecological zones of this region vary from Subcatchment to Subcatchment. In some Subcatchments it is observed that two different agro-ecological zones exist. The above data has been analysed and the results have been represented in the pie diagram given below:

Legend: Subcatchment boundary River Satluj Agro ecological Agro ecological Agro ecological Agro ecological

zone zone zone zone

no no no no

2 3 5 6

Thus it is evident that 49% area of the Kinnaur district has the AEZ described as Warm, Sub-humid, Moist, Lesser Himalayas with 180-270 days LGP followed by the AEZ described as Warm, Dry, Sub-Humid, Greater Himalayas with 120-180 days LGP which covers 46% area of this region. The other two AEZ are present in very small areas 3. Soil types Soil is the unconsolidated mineral or organic matter on the surface of the Earth that has been subjected to and shows effects of genetic and environmental factors of: climate (including water and temperature effects), and macro- and microorganisms, conditioned by relief, acting on parent material Comprehensive CAT Plan of Satluj River Basin

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over a period of time. A product-soil differs from the material from which it is derived in many physical, chemical, biological, and morphological properties and characteristics6. As a result of the variations in altitude, relief, climate and parent rock of this region, the soil types differ. It is observed that the Kinnaur district has heterogeneous soil with nearly 14 different types of soil. These soil types are too descriptive in nature hence they have been mentioned as Soil types in numerical values. These soil types of the Kinnaur district beyond Wangtoo have been shown in the pie diagram :

Note: The name of each soil types being very descriptive, we have denoted them as Soil types units. This nomenclature is used in the above diagram and also in the further explanation. The description of the soil types is presented in the table A given below.

Thus the pie chart shows that Soil type 1 is spread over 27% area of the Kinnaur district. This is followed by Soil type 26, Soil type 8 and Soil type 6 which are observed in 14%, 12% and 11% areas respectively. Other Soil types occupy areas ranging from 1% to 9% of the Kinnaur district.

United states Department of Agriculture: Natural resource conservation service http://soils.usda.gov/education/facts/soil.html Comprehensive CAT Plan of Satluj River Basin

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Table A: Soil type description Soil Description Rocky outcrops covered with glaciers: associated with: Shallow, excessively drained, sandy skeletal soils with sandy surface, severe erosion and strong stoniness. Mountain & valley glaciers & rock outcrops; associated with; medium deep, excessively drained, sandy-skeletal soil on very steep slopes with sandy surface, severe erosion & moderate stoniness. Rock outcrops, associated with medium deep, excessively drained, loamy-skeletal calcareous soils on very steep slopes with loamy surface, severe erosion and moderate stoniness. Rock outcrops associated with shallow excessively drained, loamy-skeletal soils on very steep slopes with loamy surface, severe erosion and moderate stoniness. Rock outcrops associated with medium deep excessively drained, loamy-skeletal soils on very steep slopes with loamy surface, severe erosion and moderate stoniness. Rock outcrops associated with shallow somewhat excessively drained, coarse-loamy, calcareous soils on very steep slopes with loamy surface, severe erosion and strong stoniness. Medium deep excessively drained, mesic, sandy-skeletal over fragmental soils on very steep slopes with loamy surface, severe erosion and moderate stoniness associated with Rock outcrops. Rocky outcrops associated with deep, excessively drained, sandy-skeletal soils with loamy surface, very severe erosion and moderate stoniness. Medium deep, somewhat excessively drained, mesic, loamy skeletal, calcareous soil on very gentle slopes with loamy surface, moderate erosion and moderate stoniness associated with Deep somewhat excessively drained, loamy-skeletal soils on moderately steep slopes with loamy surface, moderate erosion and moderate stoniness. Rocky outcrops associated with, Medium deep, excessively drained, mesic loamy-skeletal soils on very steep slopes with loamy surface, severe erosion and moderate stoniness. Shallow, excessively drained. Thermic, sandy-skeletal soils on steep slopes with loamy surface, very severe erosion and strong stoniness, associated with, Rock outcrops. Comprehensive CAT Plan of Satluj River Basin

Soil type unit 1

6 7 8

13 16

26 29 36

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Soil Description Shallow, well drained, thermic. loamy, skeletal soils on moderate slopes with loamy surface, moderate erosion and moderate stoniness, associated with Shallow, somewhat excessively drained, coarse-loamy soils with loamy surface, severe erosion and severe erosion and slight stoniness. Medium deep to deep, well drained, thermic, fine-loamy soils on steep slopes with loamy surface and moderate erosion, associated with medium deep, well drained, coarse-loamy soils with loamy surface and severe erosion.

Comprehensive CAT Plan of Satluj River Basin

Soil type unit