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The Lesser Himalaya, as the most densely populated part of the tectonically active and ecologically sensitive Himalayan mountain ranges, deserves specific attention to the conservation of the environment and the sustainable development of natural resources. Rapid growth of the human population during recent years, and the absence of any viable means of livelihood other than uneconomic crop farming have led to the uncontrolled exploitation of land areas and the consequent degradation and depletion of critical biophysical resources in the region. The need for sustainable development in Himalaya, therefore, makes it imperative to adopt a comprehensive land-use policy based on land capacity analysis that is scientific and practical. The main objective of this paper is to evolve an optimal land-use framework for the Gomti Watershed, situated in Kumaon, Lesser Himalaya. A detailed study of the traditional land use, regional agricultural system and the areas prone to environmental hazards was made throughout the watershed, through the preparation of large scale topographical forest and land record maps, field surveys and mapping. The average slope was considered as the principal parameter of land capacity, the potential for landslides and the intensity of erosion. Recognising the drastic changes that have taken place in the traditional land use, the watershed area has been proposed to be defined as protected forests (33.41%), community forests (32.86%), cultivation (23.33%) and horticulture (8.30%).

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Distributed energy storage (DES) is the device connected to the grid that is meant for electricity storage and is called distributed energy resources (DER). Within a smart grid, the DER system can be coordinated and managed by interfacing devices. Thermal plants, nuclear plants, hydroelectric plants, and large-scale solar plants are generally classified as centralized plants and need electricity to transmit to load centres, but DER systems are localized, flexible, decentralized and do not need electricity to transmit to longer distances because it is located close to the heap habitats to serve. The capacity of the DER system is maximum up to 10 MW. DER system generally has many generation and energy storage devices in this way it is also called a hybrid power system. Distributed energy resource systems are an alternative or an enhancement of conventional power systems.Initial capital cost per kW is generally higher in a hybrid power system. Microgrids are small-scale grids, modern and localized in contrast to conventional power stations. There are several microgrids that are connected to the central grid and may be disconnected. It operates in islanded mode and reduces central grid instability issues. Microgrids are generally introduced by the local area to which it has to serve and this is usually a low voltage ac grid. Diesel generators are often used by microgrids. By integrating several distributed power generators together, the insurance and control of a microgrid become a challenge.