PROJECT: Landscape Dynamics with Emphasis on Landuse / Landcover Changes vis-a-vis Carbon Sequestration and Habitat Loss.

The application has been developed on Geomatica software for the Indian Army and was formally launched in January 2002. The system accepts data in DVD format of the Survey of India. It could be utilized for data entry, analysis, query and report generation.

The World Bank funded project aimed at developing a GIS based Management Information System (MIS), which will help accelerate the pace of local processing and transmission of data to central/head offices and the dissemination of processed information to all work-sites in a near real-time environment. Under the project, commercially available off-the-shelf GIS was customized to develop the Decision Support System for IWDP-HP, which serves to monitor key project performance indicators. C-DAC also provided customized training to officials of the IWDP to handle the package.

C-DAC carried out a project for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to identify hilly zones within the PMC limits using remote sensing and GIS techniques and to provide accurate terrain information on slope parameters of the hilly regions. The information was used by the PMC to delineate zones of restriction to control urban development. Urban landuse mapping was carried out using high-resolution IKONOS satellite imageries.

The work formed a part of the Integrated Watershed Development Project (IWDP), Hills - II, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, and involved generation of state/ district/ tahsil/ watershed boundaries of H.P. Sub/micro watershed boundary, village location, road, drainage and contour layers were created for the Sirsa catchment from available paper maps. Silt observation points and water harvesting structures were captured using GPS, and landuse/ landcover map of Sirsa catchment were generated using IRS LISS-III satellite data.

The objective of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Govt. of India funded project was to develop a spatial database for the states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat. The work involved generating maps of landuse/ landcover (2nd level), geology (structure and lithology), and geomorphology from IRS P6 LISS-III data. The landuse/ land cover comprised settlement, water body, wetland, wasteland, forest, grassland and agriculture. The output vector databases were submitted to NIC in ArcInfo coverage format.

The project was funded by the Dept. of Biotechnology and Dept. of Space, Govt. of India. The aim of the project was to estimate the biological richness in central India using principles of landscape ecology. Different indices, i.e., interspersion, juxtaposition, porosity and patchiness, were derived to estimate the Disturbance Index (DI). The DI coupled with phyto-sociological data and terrain information resulted in the biological richness map of the area. Biological richness map is one of the significant inputs in conservation prioritisation.

The main objectives of the project were to generate relevant spatial and non-spatial data and to identify of suitable sites for safe disposal of solidhazardous wastes from the industries of Shendre MIDC area in Aurangabad District, Maharashtra. The work included creation and integration of various thematic layers in GIS environment within 25 km periphery of Shendre MIDC. Proximity, overlay and multicriteria analyses in GIS were carried out to identify suitable sites for disposal of solid hazardous wastes.

The aim of the project was the planning of integrated land and water resources based on modelling of multi-thematic data in GIS environment. The baseline situation was analysed and various thematic maps of landuse/ landcover, slope, digital elevation model, and geology were produced from satellite imageries. Integrated location specific action plans were generated for sustainable development of degraded/waste land, groundwater targeting, mapping of surface water resources, surface water harvesting sites selection, crop intensity, acreage and production estimation, and agricultural management.

The scope of the project included creation of Digital Elevation Model, terrain analysis, generation of geocoded microwave images, digital image processing for identification of snow equilibrium line, change detection (dry/wet snow), snow characterisation, development of altitude profiles and demarcation of shape of the glacier over a period of time. The project was funded by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), Chandigarh.

The project work involved identification, classification and monitoring of different snow classes and registered/ non-registered avalanche sites using multi-temporal optical and microwave remote sensing data over North Himalaya in near real time. GIS based Avalanche Information System were developed using maps updated with satellite imagery and ancillary data. The project was funded by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), Chandigarh.

This project was part of a UNDP funded Project on strengthening disaster management capacity and was carried out for National Disaster Management Cell, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. The task included setting up of database and electronic network in the country and international institutions/organizations for exchange of information between various organizations.

As part of the project, the existing multi-thematic and landslide hazard zonation maps of all the Dept of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India sponsored projects were synthesised. The generated information will be published by the National Atlas and Mapping Organization (NATMO), Govt. of India in association with C-DAC. The project was sponsored by the Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) Division of DST.

The main objective of the project was to generate various thematic maps and overlays and create the risk assessment (hazard zonation) map. Two critical landslide sites or landslide prone areas were identified in consultation with the Border Road Organisation for their detailed study to find out causative factors responsible for landslides and to suggest suitable mitigation measures through geotechnical parameters. The project was funded by the Dept. of Science and Technology, Govt. of India and was executed in association with Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Itanagar.

The main aim of the project was to carry out remote sensing based gold exploration studies in Chitradurga District using multi-spectral and panchromatic data (Landsat TM, IRS LISS III and IRS PAN). The scope of the first phase included preparation of geological and structural maps, demarcation of alteration zones, establishing drainage patterns and identification of potential blocks of gold mineralisation. In the second phase, detailed geological and structural investigations were carried out in the potential blocks using finer resolution satellite data, and the most potential zones for gold mineralisation were suggested. The project was funded by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), Hyderabad.

C-DAC has successfully implemented this experimental project in two Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses along the Pune-Nasik route. The Vehicle Tracking and Information System, based on GPS and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) technologies, provides information on the location and movement of vehicles in real time. This will facilitate bus depots to monitor the behaviour of the driver and the vehicle, its travelling speed, exact location on the map, vacant seats and stops on the way.