Cadastral level resources information system for Neeralipallam(kb3) Watershed in the Nilgiris district, Tamilnadu, South India using Remote Sensing, GPS and GIS.



  1. Cadastral map


    2. Cadastral maps on 1:7920 scale showing individual parcel boundary are available with Survey and Land records department. They are collected and converted to 1:5000 scale and digitized using PC based Arc/Info GIS. Further all the attribute data such as owners name, survey number, soil quality etc had also been stored into the system.

  2. Data Integration


    3. All the above thematic maps were digitized using PC based Arc/Info GIS software. The thematic maps pertaining to the watersheds were registered and labelled and after assigning suitable rank and weightage, overlay analysis were carried out and the action plans for land resources were generated. Cadastral maps showing the parcel boundaries were superimposed on the thematic maps.

  3. Action plan


    4. The spatial data for the watershed were integrated based on the decision rules incorporating the landuse, soil and slope. Due to the hilly terrain, slope plays a major role for all activities. Based on the different slope classes, the land suitability are classified as follows:

    1. Slope class - 1 (0-10%) suitable for annual crops


    2. Slope class - 2 (10-33%) suitable for tea/agricultural plantations


    3. Slope class - 3 (>33%) suitable for forest /grassland / permanent tree cover.

    Decision rules for each landuse category with respect to the corresponding slope class, rank and weightages were assigned. After assigning suitable ranks and weightage, overlay analysis was carried out using Arc/Info GIS software for action plan generation. The analysis clearly brought out the following.


    1. Areas whose landuse practices are in tune with the slope and thus need not be altered


    2. Areas to be conserved / preserved


    3. Areas whose landuse practices are not in tune with slope and need to be altered/modified suitability.

    Attribute data like population (male/female), SC/ST population, literacy level, cattle population, location of primary health center, veterinary Dispensary, educational institutions etc were also included in the database.
Conclusion
The study has shown that fragile eco-system of the Nilgiris district is under threat due to improper land use practices, human activities, land slides and environment of forest. The analysis has brought out the areas whose landuse practices are in tune with the slope and thus need not be altered, area to be altered and area to be preserved.

The cadastral database created in user friendly and interactive. The Remote Sensing , GIS and GPS have been found to be very effective and economical tool for resources management.

Acknowledgement
The authors wish to acknowledge the help and encouragement of the Vice Chancellor, Anna University and the Project Director, Hill Area Development Programme, Ooty for sponsoring the project.

References
  1. Bitter -P., 1997, Application of GIS and Remote Sensing in planning for mountain agriculture and landuse management Vol.5 Project manual, Kathmondu. ICIMOD.


  2. Storns, D.M and Estes U.E.,1993, A Remote Sensing Research Agenda for mapping and monitoring Bio-diversity, International Journal of Remote Sensing 1993, Vol - 14 No-10, PP 1839-1860


  3. A report on assessment of Eco-Degradation in the Nilgiris of Western Ghats 1986, By Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University, Chennai.


  4. V. Kandasamy 1986, Hydrological study of Watersheds in Nilgiris district, Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University, Chennai.

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