The Geographic Information System (“GIS”) is popularly known as a spatial system that manages, maps, analyzes and creates all types of data. GIS employs the spatial way of analysis, which further includes techniques used to study entities. These techniques included topological, geometric, and geographical properties. The spatial analysis of GIS also includes certain under-development techniques and technologies too, however, its focus and caliber lies in geographical data.
On the heels of rampant land encroachments, Haryana’s Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar announced the use of GIS to track the “cyber city’s” infrastructural developments. The GMDA is set to reach out to the National Remote Sensing Centre (“NRSC”) for satellite images of Gurugram, which will be used to monitor any illegal construction or encroachment.
Gurugram has also been using GIS to map its ground water resources- a tool fit for the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and capital New Delhi. As groundwater sources deplete, especially underground water tables, India sees a looming water shortage disaster. GIS shows the way to properly measure groundwater resources, their depletion rate, and areas prone to water shortage. This can help government bodies prepare for the future.
The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (“PRSC”) is the designated nodal agency set up by the Punjab Government for the state’s geospatial needs. It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agriculture for the state’s works on Remote Sensing (“RS”), Global Positioning System (“GPS”) and GIS.
The PRSC has notably developed a GIS to monitor Crop Residue Burning (“CRB”). PRSC maintains an active CRB dashboard that notifies, tracks and stores data related to crop/ field fires in Punjab. As an agricultural state, Punjab also monitors its crop yields, transportation, storage and harvesting through GIS. As crop residue burning is a rampant and severely harmful practice in the state of Punjab, GIS helps build a quick response system to any intentional or accidental field, crop, or forest fires.
Punjab is also using GIS to map out its larger villages with urbanisation potential, and its smaller villages needing development. It also traces infrastructural developments (e.g., building of roads, rezoning of agricultural land, wells, and canals etc.) along with flood prone areas, overflowing rivers and depleting water tables. Punjab has taken this dynamic technology to the grassroots of its governance.
