(Mikkelson et al. 2013). Water quality improvements mainly occur in the areas
where most of the excess precipitation moves across, in, or near the root zone of the
riparian forest buffers, which enriches the water mineralogy (Lowrance et al. 1997).
Wetland forests are also valuable, enriching the environment and societal economic
development. Wetland forests are valued by society because of their ability to
maintain or improve water quality, and forest practices such as timber harvesting
produce unacceptable changes in surface water quality as well as quantity (Shepard
1994). Forested wetland also is important in flood risk management, water quality
enhancement, and recreational benefits to society. Prevost et al. (1997) analyzed the
soil and surface water quality for a 5-year-long term trend in a drainage experiment
executed in a black spruce peat land of eastern Quebec, Canada, and found observable changes that can be handled through scientific management. Walega et al.
(2020) made estimated direct storm runoff and peak flow rates using a modified
SCS-CN model for a selected forest ecosystem in the southeastern Unites States.
Harvesting, shifting agriculture, grazing, and invasion by alien plant species may all
have profound effects on the functioning of the watersheds and runoff character of
the basin. Liu et al. (2019) analyzed the runoff response of the basin based on flow
path length and integral connectivity scale length considering the soil moisture
conditions.
In India, research in forest hydrology was begun as early as the 1960s by the
Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Research Centre.
The Himalayan region is facing extensive runoff from forest degradation, which is
presently leading to increased landslides. The present study includes a reconnaissance survey at different locations, namely, Nambu and Rimbi, in three different
areas such as disturbed by anthropogenic activities, undisturbed, and a pasture area
of West Sikkim. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the quantum of the
stream flow and to check water quality with reference to the study area and its impact
on forest plantation under the National Afforestation Programme, related to maintenance of forest hydrology. The effects of forest on rainfall, the impacts of various
forest activities (thinning, selection felling, clear-felling) on stream flow, and the soil
and water impacts of reforesting degraded or agricultural areas have been analyzed.
Similarly, effects of forest management and conversion of land use on water quality
and ways to minimize any adverse impacts are covered with forest plantation. Water
draining from undisturbed forest watersheds generally has the highest quality,
particularly with regard to beneficial uses including drinking water, aquatic habitat
for native species, and contact recreation. The role of forests for providing water
supplies of the highest quality has been one of the driving factors for establishment
of forest reserves and for the development of forest management practices designed
to protect the high water quality. Advanced forest management activities such as
road construction, logging operations, site preparation for regeneration of forest tree
species, and fertilization of existing forests have been shown to alter water quality,
primarily by causing changes in sediment loads, stream temperature, dissolved
oxygen, and dissolved nutrients, particularly nitrogen.
9 Assessment of Stream Flow Impact on Physicochemical Properties of Water and. . .
209
where most of the excess precipitation moves across, in, or near the root zone of the
riparian forest buffers, which enriches the water mineralogy (Lowrance et al. 1997).
Wetland forests are also valuable, enriching the environment and societal economic
development. Wetland forests are valued by society because of their ability to
maintain or improve water quality, and forest practices such as timber harvesting
produce unacceptable changes in surface water quality as well as quantity (Shepard
1994). Forested wetland also is important in flood risk management, water quality
enhancement, and recreational benefits to society. Prevost et al. (1997) analyzed the
soil and surface water quality for a 5-year-long term trend in a drainage experiment
executed in a black spruce peat land of eastern Quebec, Canada, and found observable changes that can be handled through scientific management. Walega et al.
(2020) made estimated direct storm runoff and peak flow rates using a modified
SCS-CN model for a selected forest ecosystem in the southeastern Unites States.
Harvesting, shifting agriculture, grazing, and invasion by alien plant species may all
have profound effects on the functioning of the watersheds and runoff character of
the basin. Liu et al. (2019) analyzed the runoff response of the basin based on flow
path length and integral connectivity scale length considering the soil moisture
conditions.
In India, research in forest hydrology was begun as early as the 1960s by the
Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Research Centre.
The Himalayan region is facing extensive runoff from forest degradation, which is
presently leading to increased landslides. The present study includes a reconnaissance survey at different locations, namely, Nambu and Rimbi, in three different
areas such as disturbed by anthropogenic activities, undisturbed, and a pasture area
of West Sikkim. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the quantum of the
stream flow and to check water quality with reference to the study area and its impact
on forest plantation under the National Afforestation Programme, related to maintenance of forest hydrology. The effects of forest on rainfall, the impacts of various
forest activities (thinning, selection felling, clear-felling) on stream flow, and the soil
and water impacts of reforesting degraded or agricultural areas have been analyzed.
Similarly, effects of forest management and conversion of land use on water quality
and ways to minimize any adverse impacts are covered with forest plantation. Water
draining from undisturbed forest watersheds generally has the highest quality,
particularly with regard to beneficial uses including drinking water, aquatic habitat
for native species, and contact recreation. The role of forests for providing water
supplies of the highest quality has been one of the driving factors for establishment
of forest reserves and for the development of forest management practices designed
to protect the high water quality. Advanced forest management activities such as
road construction, logging operations, site preparation for regeneration of forest tree
species, and fertilization of existing forests have been shown to alter water quality,
primarily by causing changes in sediment loads, stream temperature, dissolved
oxygen, and dissolved nutrients, particularly nitrogen.
9 Assessment of Stream Flow Impact on Physicochemical Properties of Water and. . .
209