Micro-Watershed Atlas of Canada.

A watershed is the most systematic, scientific and rational land unit for planning and development owing to optimum interaction and synergistic effect of land, water and biota within a watershed. This approach is being used in Canada as well as all over the world since long. In Canada, however, there is an urgent need to divide the watershed into smaller and sustainable units because watersheds in Canada are huge, and it is very difficult to plan for them with all their complexities.

Often times, scientists and policy makers do not feel the need for micro-level planning and management. But, a steady increase in food and water demands, industrial activity, awareness amongst the people and change in climate are indicating that now is the time to think differently and make a change.

It is also important to delineate and codify the micro-watersheds following a hierarchical system. This will facilitate proper appraisal, evaluation, monitoring and management of the non-renewable natural resources.

This proposed framework of micro-watersheds in Canada will help a great deal in adopting a more focused and site-specific approach for management of forest, agriculture, water and environment sectors, requiring less money and engaging fewer trained personnel. Moreover, the atlas will build a common platform for all the developmental activities. Its proper integration with Land Use Framework will facilitate prioritization, participation, communication, transparency and collaboration among the departments/agencies which will strengthen land use planning and decision making at provincial, regional and local levels, and avoid duplication of work. 

 With the creation and utilization of this atlas, areas such as agro-production, precision farming, soil reclamation, water conservation, future technology transfer, wetland protection and restoration, water quality, modeling, etc., will harvest the benefits throughout Canada.