Abstract ID: 3.13708 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

Nature and Natural resources provide the foundational support to life and socio-economic systems on the earth. This foundation is coming under increasing pressure from mismanagement, a rapidly growing population, a changing climate, higher levels of economic activity per capita, and the complex interactions of these phenomena. Soil and water resources are at the core and play a vital role in the sustainability of life-supporting systems on Earth. Evidence of the degradation of these natural resources is all around the globe. Despite receiving adequate annual precipitation, which is higher than the global average, an abundance of natural resources, and comparatively fewer anthropogenic disturbances, the Himalayas are no exception to this growing crisis, with many regions experiencing shrinking water reserves and deteriorating ecological systems. In such a scenario, watershed management has emerged as a vital strategy for sustaining water resources and restoring ecological balance. The watershed is considered an efficient and appropriate unit for the necessary survey, monitoring, and investigation of the assessment of these resources as they have optimum interaction and synergetic effect when developed on the watershed basis where local traditional knowledge and community-based initiatives play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of these efforts, particularly in mountainous regions. The case of Gad Ganga, a once-drying rivulet transformed into a perennial stream through collective community efforts, exemplifies the power of local action in reversing environmental degradation. This study builds upon the successes of Gad Ganga by integrating geospatial data analysis tools to prioritize vulnerable micro-watersheds and optimize conservation strategies. By leveraging geospatial analysis such as Morphometric and Topo-hydrological analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Weighted Sum Analysis (WSA), the research aims to refine resource management approaches and expand this model to other regions facing similar challenges. Through this combination of traditional knowledge and modern geospatial tools, this work proposes an actionable framework for enhancing water resource management and climate resilience in mountain ecosystems globally.