Land use/land cover change and its implication on soil erosion in an ecologically sensitive Himachal Himalayan watershed, Northern India

Soil erosion is a major environmental problem that affects land and w ater resources. It has many negative implications lead to deforestation, poor agricultural practices, loss of soil fertility, siltation hinder socio-economic development. In view this, the present study was conducted with aim estimating in relation long-term use/land cover change (LULC) Dehar watershed, Himachal Himalaya, North India. The carried out using Landsat Sentinel imageries for years 1999, 2010, 2020. A GIS-based Revised Universal Loss Equation (RUSLE) model applied assess potential risk. parameters used as input computing spatiotemporal changes were rainfall erosivity, erodibility, topographic, crop management, conservation support practice factors. results showed mean 63.71, 60.99, 66.71 t/ha/yr 2020, respectively. LULC class defined Built-up Land, decreased from 32.19 1999 18.77 year 2020 slightly increased 20.15 t/ha/yr. Moreover, Barren Land registered decrease 86.43, 74.60, 73.19 t/ha/yr, Regarding Agriculture class, rate 32.55 33.35 25.43 Areas covered under Forest experienced an increase 65.30 65.87 2010 74.72 demonstrated apparently influenced watershed. Therefore, urgent interventions are required involvement scientists, policymakers, general public management