Integrating morphometric analysis and multicriteria decision-making for sustainable watershed prioritization in the Barna River Basin, India

ABSTRACT

Watershed prioritization is critical for identifying erosion-prone zones and implementing soil and water conservation strategies in data-scarce basins. This study establishes an advanced GIS-based framework for prioritizing sub-watersheds in the Barna River Basin, India, utilizing the automated sub-watershed prioritization tool (SWPT). Five sub-watersheds were assessed using morphometric parameters and topohydrological indices, including drainage density, stream frequency, bifurcation ratio, topographic wetness index (TWI), stream power index (SPI), and sediment transport index (STI).Compound parameter values were derived via weighted sum analysis (WSA), coupled with the CRITIC method for objective weighting. To ensure rigor, outcomes were validated using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques: TOPSIS, COPRAS, and MOORA. Findings consistently identified WS4, WS3, and WS5 as high-priority sub-watersheds, driven by steeper gradients and pronounced erosion indices that accelerate runoff and sediment flux. Conversely, WS2 demonstrated the lowest susceptibility. Strong concordance between SWPT and MCDM approaches confirms framework reliability. These insights delineate targeted zones for afforestation, check dams, and slope stabilization, advancing SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).