Generation/Creation of Layers/Maps using GIS

 Database creation using GIS of Phagi Block, Jaipur

     GIS is a versatile tool which can be used for different applications whether for natural resource management or management of manmade/human/anthropogenic induced activities. To manage resources or map, one need to have reliable source of information to use as input in GIS. 

     This reliable information can be collected either by physical survey or existing accurate database. These collected database can be used in GIS for creation of spatial or non-spatial database. With this different digital map layers can be generated in GIS for specific project area based on different input data formats such as survey data, field sample data, existing maps and satellite based data. 

   These GIS layers in the form of Map can be used for data analysis, data management as well as for planning and monitoring. It is true all the database in excel etc. can be used for data analysis, data management as well as for planning and monitoring but advantage of GIS as it is unique platform to just not analyze also visualize spatially. 

     GIS layers can be prepared/generated on different levels or scale such as from village level to tehsil/block/, tehsil/city to district, district to state level and from state to national/regional level. So one can use/collect/create input data as per requirement of study/project on different levels/scales.

     

     There are several GIS software which can be used for GIS layers or map layers creation, some of them are paid or others open source. One can use open source GIS software such as QGIS for generation of layers/maps.

 

     To create feature class in QGIS software, one has to just click on New option and then click Feature Class. Thereafter just type or define the feature class name.

   Then define the properties of feature you want to create for this click the Feature Class Type drop-down arrow and choose the feature geometry as per feature type. After this using digitization tools one can start creating features as per input data base.

    

     For Example- Different types of maps/layers can be created for a study area such as tehsil boundary, panchayat boundary, village boundary, roads, and river etc.

    

    Here in this article some base map/layers are created using QGIS of Phagi tehsil. These generated layers serves as basis for further spatial and temporal analysis of data for monitoring and planning.

     GIS LAYER EXAMPLES

     1. Phagi Tehsil Maps

       This below figure is map/layer, which includes river network of phagi tehsil. Its mean that two features are represented in this layer, one is tehsil boundary and another is river network exist in this tehsil. In the river feature their attributes in the form of river name are also defined for better understanding. So this layer can be used to measure the area of tehsil as well as length of river network in this tehsil. 

    2. Phagi Panchayat Map

       This map/layer representing panchayats exist in the tehsil. The feature class of  this feature is polygon/region as it is representing panchayat boundary with in the phagi tehsil. By using this layer one can measure the area of each tehsil, which is a basic entity. Instead of this if this layer is integrated with other data base such as from the above layer of river, then one estimate the river network or coverage at panchayat level. Even road network, forest cover, crop cover, etc. can be estimated at panchayat level.

     3. Phagi Village Map

       These layer can be generated further at village level, as below figure. There are many advantage of creating layer at village level as it is one of the smallest unit/level. In this layer village boundary of tehsil is created using region/polygon feature as well as feature name attribute such as village name added to the features. Now analysis can be performed at village level which provide more detailed spatial information comparatively.

     4. Phagi Hydrogeological Map

      This hydrogeological map/layer is generated using secondary source data which are collected from government department. In this polygon feature class used to create this layer also assigned the name based on hydrogeological properties in the tehsil. 

By this one can create different type of layers/maps in GIS, which directly or indirectly used for monitoring and planning of natural resources as well as human induced activities.