572
use of available data and also by fresh data
generation using data on RS. RS data have proved
to be economic means for inventory, monitoring
and management of wetlands. Satellite data, in
association with GIS, provide cost- and timeeffective tool for mapping and formulation of
conservation and management plans. Thus, by
using digital RS data, it could be possible to map,
analyse data and attain information at any scale
for many wetlands. For reconnaissance survey,
satellite data of 20-m resolution are very effective, while for larger-scale studies, use of planned
Cartosat data could be a better option.
26.12.6.2 Use of Existing Information
of Species Distribution
The database of the past species distribution of
birds and animals of the country done by Asian
Waterfowl Count and other organisations should
be integrated and their spatial distribution plotted
for proper understanding of the temporal distribution of the species.
The elaborate process of wetland mapping on
a large scale involves many steps. Some of these
are as follows:
(a) Digital image processing of satellite data to
identify the type of wetlands, turbidity levels
and presence or absence of aquatic vegetation
in various districts throughout the country.
(b) These data could be used to create a digital
inventory of wetlands using GIS. Using this
database of centroid locations of wetlands,
district- and state-wise wetland coverages
could be generated.
(c) Associated attribute data could be attached to
these coverages. Keeping in view the gigantic amount of data, customised graphical user
interfaces (GUI) could be developed to automise the process of coverage generation.
(d) These coverages and inputs of local individuals and institutions could be used to select
wetlands for fi eldwork for their biological
and conservational values.
(e) Further, database of the distribution of faunal
and fl oral assemblages of the selected wetlands could be converted into coverages for
spatial depiction and related attributes
attached to them using GIS.
(f) These inputs could be attached to the digitally
processed RS data for further analyses.
(g) Thus, all the information could be readily
available at all scales to assign conservation
value to the wetlands. The importance of a particular wetland would relate to whether it is a
good, rare and unique wetland type, its socioeconomic and cultural value, importance of the
threatened and endemic species of plants and
animals found in these wetlands and so on.
These could also relate to the importance of
the wetland in maintaining the genetic or ecological diversity of the area, whether the site is
of crucial value to certain plants or animal species at a critical stage of their life history and
their importance towards resident and migrating waterfowl populations.
(h) All these efforts require fi rst-hand insights
into the problems and prospects using the
modern spatial technology tools.
Thus, a great deal of effort has to go in systematising the inventories at desired spatial and
temporal scales in order to achieve viable wetland conservation in a country. And substantial
amount of works have been done in India in this
direction. The MOEF in collaboration with
SAC, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and
Natural History (SACON) and the provincial
partners have nationally mapped the wetlands
on specifi c scales. Now, it is the need of the
hour to build up a highly decentralised hierarchy of organisations using the voluntary effort
of various NGOs and individuals.
26.12.7 Application of GIS
in Wetland Mapping
and Conservation
February 2, designated as World Wetlands Day,
has quietly slipped by with isolated events that
speak of the lackadaisical attitude towards this
rich ecosystem.
There are 67,429 wetlands covering an area
of about 5.5 million hectares (Ministry of
Environment and Forests 1990 ). The wetland systems in India are diverse, found in high altitude
cold zones, the hot and humid coastal areas or
26 Habitat Mapping of the Wetlands on GIS Platform
use of available data and also by fresh data
generation using data on RS. RS data have proved
to be economic means for inventory, monitoring
and management of wetlands. Satellite data, in
association with GIS, provide cost- and timeeffective tool for mapping and formulation of
conservation and management plans. Thus, by
using digital RS data, it could be possible to map,
analyse data and attain information at any scale
for many wetlands. For reconnaissance survey,
satellite data of 20-m resolution are very effective, while for larger-scale studies, use of planned
Cartosat data could be a better option.
26.12.6.2 Use of Existing Information
of Species Distribution
The database of the past species distribution of
birds and animals of the country done by Asian
Waterfowl Count and other organisations should
be integrated and their spatial distribution plotted
for proper understanding of the temporal distribution of the species.
The elaborate process of wetland mapping on
a large scale involves many steps. Some of these
are as follows:
(a) Digital image processing of satellite data to
identify the type of wetlands, turbidity levels
and presence or absence of aquatic vegetation
in various districts throughout the country.
(b) These data could be used to create a digital
inventory of wetlands using GIS. Using this
database of centroid locations of wetlands,
district- and state-wise wetland coverages
could be generated.
(c) Associated attribute data could be attached to
these coverages. Keeping in view the gigantic amount of data, customised graphical user
interfaces (GUI) could be developed to automise the process of coverage generation.
(d) These coverages and inputs of local individuals and institutions could be used to select
wetlands for fi eldwork for their biological
and conservational values.
(e) Further, database of the distribution of faunal
and fl oral assemblages of the selected wetlands could be converted into coverages for
spatial depiction and related attributes
attached to them using GIS.
(f) These inputs could be attached to the digitally
processed RS data for further analyses.
(g) Thus, all the information could be readily
available at all scales to assign conservation
value to the wetlands. The importance of a particular wetland would relate to whether it is a
good, rare and unique wetland type, its socioeconomic and cultural value, importance of the
threatened and endemic species of plants and
animals found in these wetlands and so on.
These could also relate to the importance of
the wetland in maintaining the genetic or ecological diversity of the area, whether the site is
of crucial value to certain plants or animal species at a critical stage of their life history and
their importance towards resident and migrating waterfowl populations.
(h) All these efforts require fi rst-hand insights
into the problems and prospects using the
modern spatial technology tools.
Thus, a great deal of effort has to go in systematising the inventories at desired spatial and
temporal scales in order to achieve viable wetland conservation in a country. And substantial
amount of works have been done in India in this
direction. The MOEF in collaboration with
SAC, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and
Natural History (SACON) and the provincial
partners have nationally mapped the wetlands
on specifi c scales. Now, it is the need of the
hour to build up a highly decentralised hierarchy of organisations using the voluntary effort
of various NGOs and individuals.
26.12.7 Application of GIS
in Wetland Mapping
and Conservation
February 2, designated as World Wetlands Day,
has quietly slipped by with isolated events that
speak of the lackadaisical attitude towards this
rich ecosystem.
There are 67,429 wetlands covering an area
of about 5.5 million hectares (Ministry of
Environment and Forests 1990 ). The wetland systems in India are diverse, found in high altitude
cold zones, the hot and humid coastal areas or
26 Habitat Mapping of the Wetlands on GIS Platform