Geographic Information System (GIS) is a technology that should be implemented in every organization. It is a promising tool with lots of analytical capabilities. The ability of GIS, along with the final presentation of results on a digital base map, will allow the user to have a better perception of the problem and will enable him with better decision making and understanding of what is to be achieved in a broader sense. We are convinced that in the not too distant future the GIS tools will have a major impact on many aspects of the scientific research in various fields like Hydrology, Geology, Environmental Studies, Geo-technical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Meteorological department and many other.
Geographical Information System (GIS) are becoming more widely used in transportation planning agencies, especially among metropolitan transportation organizations. The current application of GIS in India is in the field of Hydrology, which is implemented in the State of Punjab and this application is the Borehole Manager Project. The Meteorological application of GIS is world widely used for the daily information of weather forecasting. One of the most fundamental applications in the field of geology is the geological mapping where it is often required to bring on to one scale various existing geological maps in different scales.
The methodologies used in implementation of GIS in India face some difficulties, which are very generalized, but are got to be revised for the versatility and development of our country. With this paper we try to suggest some remedies which will help in removing the present obstacles in usage of GIS in India.
INTRODUCTION:
This paper is our attempt to widespread a technology which has been so far quite elusive to developing nations like India. This technology called Geographic Information System (GIS) may become a huge force in nation building. This has already been an inseparable part of most of the developed nations like U.S.A., Russia, Germany, etc.
A Geographic Information System (GIS) can be defined as a computer-based system to collect, store, analyze, retrieve and display geographic information. It consists of at least four main components, namely: hardware/software, information, people who operate the system, and the organizational context (work and information flow, number of hierarchical levels, etc).
Geographic Information Systems have become a prevalent method of analysis in civil engineering. Flexible GIS models that manipulate compile and process spatial data above or below the earth’s surface have provided a powerful tool in civil engineering applications.
GIS has been around in the "western world" for approximately two decades and in South-East Asia for less than ten years. It can be observed that implementing agencies often focus strongly on technical aspects (Hard-and software), but underestimate the other three components, resulting in a less than optimal utilization of GIS for effective decision making. While often enough large budgets are approved for implementing the technology, little is done to prepare the institution and the people to handle this. In addition, the lack of sufficient, valid and updated data is a problem, which often results in under-utilization of GIS as planning tool.
Global Positioning System (GPS) is included as topic within a mapping, GIS or civil engineering course. GPS techniques are also increasingly being offered as short professional courses.
CURRENT APPLICATIONS OF GIS:
GIS has been around in the "western world" for approximately two decades and in South-East Asia for less than ten years. It is widely being used in the fields of hydrology, geology, transportation engineering and meteorological department.
Globally:
Application of GIS in Environmental Studies:
GIS is a powerful tool for environmental data analysis and planning. GIS stores spatial information in a digital mapping environment. A digital base map is overlaid with data or other layers of information onto a map in order to view spatial information and relationships. GIS allows better viewing and understanding physical features and the relationships that influence in a given critical environmental condition. Factors, such as steepness of slopes, aspects and vegetation, can be viewed and overlaid to determine various environmental parameters and impact analysis.
GIS can also display and analyze aerial photos. Digital information can be overlaid on photographs to provide environmental data analysts with more familiar views of landscapes and associated data. GIS can provide a quick, comparative view of hazards and risks, and areas to be safeguarded.
Application of GIS in Geology:
GIS is used for almost all application related to groundwater management such as hydro-geological database management, groundwater targeting, resource estimation, groundwater recharge estimation, evaluation of ground water exploitation impact on environment (runoff, soil moisture, vegetation growth conditions etc.), evaluation and re-evaluation of groundwater resources for urban and rural fresh water supplies. Groundwater risk assessment is also carried out using GIS such as studies related to removal, localization and remediation of contaminant plumes (including oil and radioactive pollution), ground water vulnerability assessment, environmental impact evaluation for civil engineering and human activity affecting ground water etc.
Web based application of GIS:
NetGIS is a bilingual web based application. It gives its users the power to visualize geographic information, search and navigate through spatial and non-spatial data, perform analysis on data and print reports for future use. The application is intended to help in feasibility studies for construction activities, aid in construction planning and assist in facility management.
The application is designed to perform geological data analysis and extract geological information from spatial and non-spatial data. NetGIS has a perfect blend of all common desktop GIS application features like zoom-in, zoom-out, pan, feature identify, search, print and thematic maps.
In India:
Application of GIS in Geo-technical Engineering:
Geo-technical engineers using this application relate alignments and cross-sections find the geological composition of a specific point along the alignment, associate documents related to a specific location on the map, and create thematic maps based on attributes of a map. Engineers also zoom to specific parts of an alignment and see the associated cross-section area, perform spatial and non-spatial queries, and print required reports and maps.
Application of GIS in Hydrology:
The Borehole Manager Project is specifically customized for the Punjab State Tube well Corporation. This Project allows the users to Load the Borehole data (captured through GPS / Digitizer), and also link & view / print the Borehole images. Aim is to create a user-friendly environment for loading Borehole data, associating Borehole Images with the selected Borehole, which can then be viewed in ArcView and then Printed on the Plotter.
Application of GIS in Meteorological Department :
Meteorology is often defined as the science that deals with the atmospheric phenomenon. The best example of application of GIS, that is, Weather forecasting is directly related to Meteorological Studies. The climatological boundary conditions are used for the sea surface temperature, ice, snow, soil moisture, soil temperature, and roughness length and plant resistance. The GIS operation consists of
data processing and quality control,
utilization of non-conventional data,
data assimilation,
model integration,
post processing and diagnostic studies, and
(vi) preparation of location specific forecasts.
FUTURE OF GIS IN INDIA:
For a vast and developing country like India GIS has got huge applications in various fields. It will be very useful in a number of national civil engineering projects. For the proposed interlinking of rivers GIS will help in getting the water levels and suitability of the land. It will also be required to get the information about the past water channels which are now not in use.
Another major project where GPS/GIS will be necessary is the Golden Quadrilateral Plan. GIS will have to be used to determine the properties of the land to be used. In this case, GIS will be giving information regarding the ground water level, softness of soil and can also give the strength of the soil.
GIS will come very handy in other projects like dams, bridges, etc. Such high cost projects have to be safeguarded against various calamities. Only GIS can solve these problems. It will give information of unsuitable land like marshy areas, etc. The valuable information obtained from GIS will save a lot of money from getting wasted.
Today, India is also facing shortage of fossil fuels and is in search of new resources for them. This information can also be obtained by using GIS. Using we can even check for the presence of fuels in the remote and inaccessible regions of the country. These all activities are done without even digging up of the land. Many nations all over the world are using GIS techniques to get new resources for the depleting fossil fuels. Some even call it the only way of finding these resources.
Apart from these applications GIS is also be modified to give weather information earlier than its present state. If this is successful then we may reduce the damage caused by natural calamities. The very example of this is the Orissa Cyclone that rock the Orissa state a few years back. In that case if we could predict it a few days in advance then a lot of lives could have been saved.
DIFFICULTIES IN IMPLEMENTATION OF GIS IN INDIA :
Cost factor :
The preliminary factor which governs the implementation of any scheme or project is its maximum advantage within the economical reach. Use of GIS on International level and its prime importance with respect to various scientific fields, brags-up the human to implement the system as early as possible. Cost factor is major term for the developing countries like India. As the involvement of the four main components, namely, software/hardware, information, people who operate the system, and the organizational context takes place, automatically the cost factor arises. Still, the cost factor is not only the one, but there are several other factors which affect the implementation of GIS.
Deficiency of Skilled Manpower :
The term, skilled manpower, makes us realize the promptitude to be implemented to the system. About three-fourth of any information has a geo-spatial element, which means that it can be geo-referenced by either address or a location. This knowledge in totality constitutes a foundation for GIS varied definitions of GIS and its innumerable nomenclature further highlights the dynamism in the discipline. Another consideration pertains to the versatility of the functions that GIS can perform. Equally important is the compatibility element in GIS. Its adaptability to varied data sets occurring in different platforms (ground, air and space) increases the scope for its consideration. GPS links GIS maps and their data sets to real world positions and movements. The need to become familiar with basic principles of GIS is growing as more organizations are adapting GIS in their daily working. Thus, the deficiency of Expert organizational members may tend to preclude the system.
REMEDIES OR SOLUTIONS:
International Usage of Indian Satellites:
By saying, International usage of Indian satellites, we mean that using our satellites on rental system. This will fulfill the demands of other countries that require extra information to be collected and simultaneously, will accomplish the Indian economical deficiency. Other ways, we can share the satellite with other developing countries like us and will use it on joint responsibility considering the money matters.
Promotion of GIS Studies:
General anatomy of GIS presents a relief to a graduate amidst continuously aggravating difficulties in the job scenario. GIS is a multifaceted field with rapidly expanding opportunities for those who are familiar with the concepts and the technology. Because of its potential for a rewarding career, GIS needs to be considered as a rewarding option in a theoretical curriculum. . GIS industry is all set to promote the graduates who know not only how to use the existing software but also how to integrate the technology in the existing system and carry it beyond its current bounds. This vacuum in India can best be filled with introduction of GIS courses in Colleges. The ability to think and analyze spatially becomes the core of GIS. Finally, we can say that, to overcome the deficiency of skilled manpower, the encouragement to GIS studies is of prime importance.
CONCLUSION:
The GIS is thus one of the most promising yet largely unexploited fields in India. With our space programs competing the best in the world it’s high time that we encourage GIS and apply it throughout the country. The applications of GIS which are currently implemented are not enough for the advancing countries like India, so further the future applications are also needed to be implemented.
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