VIKSAT is working in the areas of participatory Natural Resource Management since 1977, and has facilitated development work through the network of many stakeholders across 214 villages. Be it Joint Forest Management, Ecological and economics Research Network, Sabarmati Stakeholders Forum, Natural dyes, Development of Watershed, Community Management of Groundwater, Augmenting Groundwater Resources by Artificial Recharge, Adaptive Strategies of drought or enhancing access of local communities to latest agro-technologies, VIKSAT is able to address local challenges based on its research in the areas of social, economical, ecological and hydrological aspects.

Analysis and presentation of the datasets generated by various projects are the key responsibilities undertaken by GIS division of VIKSAT. For example, through JFM programme alone, an intensive database has been generated on various aspects of JFM across 80 villages. This data includes forest cover, areas under JFM, areas with community rights for harvest, species raised, harvest cycle followed, investments under JFM programme, expected income (per year), number of VFCs, data on species richness, density and abundance of individual species, social aspects etc linked with individual villages.

Similarly data on various programmes in water and agriculture sector such as geology, water table, catchment areas, mapping of bore well and dug wells, groundwater movement, differential utilisation of ground and surface water, water harvesting systems and structures etc have been generated and linked with maps.

There is an increasing need felt at various levels to utilise these available data for community level resource management and making informed decisions. GIS act as a tool in solving these purposes.

A Geographical Information System is a computerised system for capturing, processing, enhancing, querying, analysing and visualising spatially-referenced data. It helps in strengthening our research by relating several disciplines due to its cross-disciplinary nature.

GIS has the capability to relate layers of data for the same points in space, combining, analysing and, finally, mapping out the results.

GIS systems store and process spatial data in two formats:

• Vector model, as geometric objects: points, lines and polygons

• Raster model, as image files composed of grid-cells known as pixels

• Digitising of the data: Data collected is first converted into a suitable digital format by the process which is commonly called as digitising.

• Data Processing/ transformation: Data types required for GIS projects are transformed or manipulated into attribute database to link with the locational database and are geocoded.

• Outputs: The end results of projects are presented / depicted in the form of output table, query results, maps and graphs.

• GIS based information enhances the quality of analysis and communication.

• Maps are very efficient medium for storing and retrieving geographic information. Maps can be integrated with reports to make it more factual.

• GIS searches the database and geographical queries in a faster manner than any other information system.

• Maps help to integrate, visualize, manage, solve, and present the information on natural resources and their management through a visual representation.

Timely and accurate information are critical to facilitate planning and decision-making processes. Realising the need for information and its crucial role in planning and implementation of Natural Resources Management projects VIKSAT has initiated in creating a relational database linked to graphical and analytical capabilities of GIS.

Thematic maps and spatial analysis

 As a part of creating the database for Natural Resource Management, thematic and socio-economic maps are prepared.  In addition, derivative maps are also prepared for further analysis and presentation purposes.

Statistical analysis and Queries

VIKSAT has integrated common database operations such as query and statistical analysis for unique visualisation of maps. Such maps provide both simple point-and-click query capabilities and sophisticated analysis tools for timely information to the analysts.

Unlike a static paper map VIKSAT has been successfully displaying many layers of information through GIS platform in a quicker and refined manner.

Quick view to Application of GIS accomplished across various projects in VIKSAT

Mehru Watershed Project

Thematic representation of watershed development activities carried out by VIKSAT in Meru village of Bhiloda taluka and generation of database regarding soil and water conservation structures, soil types, socio-economic characteristics and distribution of beneficiaries is done.

Five villages each from Bhiloda and Satlasana talukas and ten villages from Bhuj taluka have been selected for field survey for this project.

• Mapping of geophysical and socio-economic characteristics of the selected villages facilitates the understanding of the coping and adaptive responses of the people to drought.
• Cartographic representation of demographic characteristics, distribution of various categories of farmers and their coping strategies has facilitated spatial analysis.

Research Project - Augmenting Groundwater Resources by Artificial Recharge (AGRAR)

This research project is being carried out in five villages of Satlasana taluka. They are Nedardi, Mumanvas, Bhanavas, Samrapur and Nana Kothasana.

• Processed data through topography and water level surveys of the study area.

• Location and elevations of the existing wells/bore wells with reference to the recharge structures and piezometric contours prepared on monthly basis.

Research Project - Community Management of Groundwater (ComMan)

Study area included three villages of Satlasana taluka - Bhanavas, Nana Kothasana and Samrapur.

GIS facilitated data analysis and presentation of the findings through thematic maps.

Natural dyes Project:

Project villages, dyeing systems and number of households involved in dyeing were displayed through maps.