GIS Based Watershed Management
Ministry of rural development, GOI has identified Malshirus watershed (5225 ha) in Purandar Taluka, Pune as a pilot project in the state of Maharashtra for GIS-Based watershed management. NIC MP has been entrusted to develop it. The study has been carried out in two phases.
The first phase consisted of feasibility study for identification of certain area-specific problems and delineation on SOI toposheets as per the guidelines of MORD, as well as preparation of base maps at watershed & cadastral level having all major topological features, soil survey details, present land use etc. In the second phase of the study, GIS techniques were used for creation of spatial database on contours, drainage, ridge boundary, roads, habitations etc. from SOI topographical maps; land capability, soil texture etc. from watershed maps; and soil survey details along with khasra boundaries from cadastral maps besides attribute databases. Since cadastral maps are on different scales, they are geo-referenced. Rules are framed to arrive at certain suitable solutions to each of the area specific problems identified for the watershed.
The pilot study showed the importance of GIS tools in watershed management. It facilitated integrated analysis, area calculations and generation of action plan maps for location-specific problems involving certain soil and water conservation measures. A similar type of study was also successfully carried out earlier for Pillikarar watershed (4027 ha) in Sehore district (Madhya Pradesh). This project was identified and sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The GIS Div. at NIC M.P. State Unit also completed development of GIS-based Facility Planning System on pilot basis for two blocks namely Sanchi & Bina falling under Raisen and Sagar districts respectively.
For further information, write to sio@mp.nic.in