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Cadastral Level Resources Information System for Kundapallam (Kd1) watershed in the Nilgiris district using Remote Sensing, GPS and GIS
V. Kandasamy, C. Lakshumanan and K. Venugopal Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University, Chennai velupillaikandasam@hotmail.com
Abstract
Achieving and maintaining the ecological balance through eco-restoration, eco-development and eco-preservation is the prime objective with special emphasis on promoting the people living in the hill areas. The planning aims at the sustainable development of natural resources at cadastral level for maintaining the balance between the productivity function and conservation practices through monitoring and identification of problem areas and calls for alternate appropriate and energy efficient methods and practices. For watershed management at microlevel, maps on 1:5000 scale or larger are needed including contours of 5-m interval. Such maps are not available now and presently maps are locally prepared for the construction site for project management. Aerial photos taken during 1996 on 1:8000 scale for the entire Nilgiris district are used for preparing Large-scale maps. Global Positioning System was used for establishing ground control survey in sparse network. Orthophoto, Digital Elevation Model and 5m-interval contour map were generated using photogrammetric techniques. The orthophotos and IRS I C Liss III + PAN merged Special satellite data were used for the generation of Thematic maps such as Landuse/landcover, Soil, Drainage etc. Slope map was derived from 5-m interval contour using Arcview 3D anslyst. Action plan for resources management on a sustinable basis was derived using GIS. Cadastral map showing parcel boundaries on 1: 7920 obtained from Survey and land Records department was brought into 1: 5000 scale and superimposed on thematic maps and action plan maps. And also other socioeconomic data pertaining to the watershed were collected and cadastral level Resources Information Database was generated. Cadastral level Database is customised in the GIS environment, which is interactive, and userfriendly. Monitoring and further updation will be easier for the field officers. Thus Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS have been found to be very effective and economical tool for Resources management on sustainable basis. Introduction The Nilgiris is one of the important hilly areas in the South India and lying in the junction of eastern and western ghats of India. Nilgiris is one of the smallest district in Tamilnadu, with the geographical area of 2544 km2. Nature manifestes itself in the form of Forests, Grass lands and Tea estates overhere. This study has been under taken to create cadastral level resources information system using Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System and Global Positioning System. Objectives of the study The main objectives of the study are as follows,
Kundapallam(kd1) micro watershed lies in the Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu with a geographical area of 12 sq.km and is bounded by 76° 35’ 30” and 76° 37’ 30” north latitude and 11° 14’ 15” and 11° 16’ 15” latitude and longitudes. Nilgiris is a hilly district located on the fragile environment of Western Ghats with an elevation renging from 300 m in the Mayor Gorge to 2634 m above MSL at Doddabetta peak. 
Major part of the Nilgiris ie.56% is under
forest cover and about 20% of the district is under plantation crops
such as Tea, Coffee, Arecanut etc.Out of which Tea plantation
domonates and is found at all slopes. Net area under agriculture
including plantation crop is around 29% Paddy, Potato, Cabbage,
Carrot and other vegetables are the important crops grown in this
district. Grasslands and sholas are seen throughout the district.Extensive wattle ,euccalyptus,pine and other forest palntation are also seen.
Varying altitudes, high rain fall, varying temprature regimes have endowed the Nilgiris with a diverse natural heritage. It has a unique ecosystem with different types of vegetation and great diversity of plant communities. Improper landuse practices is leading to the degradation of fragile ecosystem. Climate and Rainfall Nilgiris district of Tmilnadu experiences a diverse climatic conditions due to large variations in altitude varying from 300-2634 m above MSL. The microclimatic conditions also vary due to variation in 1) degree of slope (2) aspect (3) vegetation conditions and soil conditions. The region is influenced by both SouthWest and NorthEast monsoons. The annual rainfall is nearly 1300-2000 m.m The mean monthly temprature generally varies with the altitude. The maximum temprature in the summer season is 24.3° C and the minimum temprature observed in the winter season 6.0° C. The humidity is about 89% and it is generally higher in the months of July,October and November. Geology Nilgiris district is located in the plateau region. Structurally, the Nilgiris plateau belongs to continental block of peninsular India and the mountain ranges comprises of archean metamorphic rocks like Charnochite,Biotite gneiss,Magnetic quartzite, Hornblend granite along with some intrusive bodies like pegmatite,dolerite and quratz veins. 
Laterites are found in large quantities in the district.The laterite found over the charnochites is hard.Bauxite is the other mineral found in the district.
Structurally the area is highly disturbed and is subjected to faulting. The major rivers in the district flow along the prominent fractures.The prominent fractures in the district are trending East-North, East and North-North West.
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