Introduction
The amount of data generated by the government in this digital era is phenomenal. Attempts to process the data and rendering it as readily usable information by application of a powerful integrated approach such as GIS are not widespread. Contemporary decision-making is complex and involves a wide spectrum of knowledge sourced from diverse fields. The impacts of a decision thus made over an even more complex social fabric necessitate the use of sophisticated Decision Support Systems (DSS). The unique capability of a Geographic Information System (GIS) is that not only it can act as a database but also as a powerful tool, wherein complicated operations can be performed with greater ease and better quality information gleaned. When incorporated in this environment, Decision Support Systems can become flexible and fortified. Ushering in such systems in the administrative scenario has become nearly mandatory, to meet the challenges of management in the digital era.
In the present system of administration, the administrator or decision maker really depends on hierarchy for relevant information, which results in delay and gives room for errors. In the conventional data retrieval system practices, because of near impossibility of data verification, likelihood of errors in decisions is high. Therefore, quicker and reliable data access and efficient processing tools are in demand. While attribute data computerization is an ongoing process, a GIS database that invokes both map and tabular data should follow logically to maximize benefits. In fact, the work can be cited to have reached its logical and evolutionary perfection once the entire output is made available in the World Wide Web.
In this context, a Decision Support System (DSS) was attempted in Paramakudi taluk of Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu.
AIM
The aim of the study is to provide a Decision Support System in GIS environment to facilitate decision-making process qualitatively effective.
Objectives
In order to realize the above aim, the following objectives were identified.
- To create a digital database for select area, employing the following map data in existence.
- Administrative boundary
- Hamlet location
- Roads / Railway line
- Drainage network
- Water body
- Well
- Bridges
- Pilgrim Centre
- Burial Ground
- To collect the following secondary data pertaining to each hamlet available with various government departments.
- Union / Taluk Name
- General Population
- SC / ST Population
- Health Centre details
- Fair-price shop details
- Elementary School
details
- To provide decision support features as
- Selective Data Display
- Attribute Data Display
- Query Builder
- Model Builder
- History