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Application of GIS & Remote Sensing in Formulating a Management Plan in Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur
Arun Kumar and R.K. Chingkhei
Department of Earth Sciences, Manipur University
Bala Prasad
Department of Forest, Govt. of Manipur
Background:
The various problems faced by the people that affect the management of the park and zone of influence are briefly highlighted. The lack of sustainable livelihood is the most important problem being faced by the people. Due to high level of water, their agriculture has suffered. They face constant hiccups in fishing and fish farming due to declining catch from outside the park. Further, they need support in production as well as marketing. Due to the regulation of Wildlife Protection Act their usual collection of fuelwood, fodder, vegetables, NWFPs and building material is being stopped. They are losing their benefits. There is also lack of confidence between persons managing the park and local people due to historical reasons. The management of the existing phumdi, habitat of the Sangai, has become very strategic and requires an attention of not only the scientific approach but also people’s participation in the programme.
Objectives:
For achieving the objectives in prevailing situation, it is essential to evolve a set of multi-pronged integrated strategies and the management plan must revolve around the strategies. The proposed strategies may be outlined as follows:
- To provide effective protection to the park
- To improve the habitat of the park
- To encourage Tourism and impart nature education
- To carry out eco-development works
- To undertake aid, promote and coordinate research works by
- To promote the capacity building
Material & Method
In order to undertake the proposed objectives, the GIS & Remote Sensing techniques have been used. The multidate satellite data (1991, 93, 95 & 98) along with SOI toposheets have been employed for preparation of various thematic maps of the park. All the maps are further digitised in GIS format for preparing a GIS database as well as for GIS analysis. The locations of habitat of sangai in the park is quite random, therefore, the GIS has been proved to be the most successful tool for demarcating the boundaries for protection, conservation and management plan. The location of each machan has been delineated using GPS and further, superposed on a base map. The various ecologically sensitive zones for the protection of sangai as well as its habitat have been worked out by using buffer and overlay analysis in GIS environment. The weighted distribution of the Sangai in the ratio 4:2:1 (male:female:fawn) is the basis for most sensitive zone (core zone) which is further followed by extension zone, tourism zone and eco-development zone.
The ancillary field data are used to plan the management practices in a long term basis.
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