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Cadastral level resources information system for Neeralipallam(kb3) Watershed in the Nilgiris district, Tamilnadu, South India using Remote Sensing, GPS and GIS.
V. Kandasamy, S. Jayaseelan, K. Venugopal Institute of Remote Sensing Anna University Chennai-600 025, India Tel: 91-044-2301269
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 districts in Tamilnadu, with the geographical area of 2544 km2. Nature manifests itself in the form of Forests, Grass lands and Tea estates over here. 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,
Neeralipallam (Kb3) 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" longitudes and 11° 14' 15" and 11° 16' 15" latitude. Nilgiris is a hilly district located on the fragile environment of Western Ghats with an elevation ranging from 300 m in the Moyar 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 dominates 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 plantation are also seen. Varying altitudes, high rain fall, varying temperature 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 are leading to the degradation of fragile ecosystem.
Nilgiris district of Tmilnadu experiences 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 mm The mean monthly temperature generally varies with the altitude. The maximum temperature in the summer season is 24.3° C and the minimum temperature observed in the winter season 2.0° C. The humidity is about 89% and it is generally higher in the months of July, October and November. 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 quartz 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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