Ahmedabad: For better management and
planning of coastal areas and their resources, Gujarat
government is implementing a Geo-Spatial Information System
(GIS) development project.
"The development of GIS for coastal areas is a key
component of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project
(ICZMP) conceived by the Union government with a view to
convert the approach to coastal zone management from purely
regulatory to a sustainable and participatory one," member
secretary, Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC), A K Verma, who
heads ICZMP here, said.
"Coastal belt of Gujarat is very dynamic....looking at
the extent of developmental activities along the coastal belt,
there is a need for GIS.
"Creating basic information on coastal areas using latest
technologies like remote sensing and GIS is envisaged for
better management and planning of coastal environment and
its resources. This would also facilitate development of local
communities," he said.
Through GIS, not only scientific data, maps and pictures
would be collected, but even a database for infrastructure
(ports, jetties, coastal highways, break-water structures,
etc.) will also be developed, he said.
Special Economic Zones (SEZ), ports, salt and cement
industries, oil and natural gas exploration are developing
fast along the coast. Moreover, the 1,600 km-long state
coastline is home to around 20 million people, a majority of
them economically backward and dependent on fishing.
Under the project, Verma said, Digital Terrain Model
(DTM) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the coastal areas
too would be prepared.
Large-scale accurate geographic database and maps showing
HTL (High Tide Line) and LTL (Low Tide Line) using CARTOSAT or
IRS (Indian Remote Sensing satellite) would be prepared. Also,
wetland categories between HTL and LTL, and the land-use above
HTL would be mapped.
"The GIS would help in better hazard-risk assessment and
management for the coast," Verma said.
It would also help in planning various infrastructure
activities, including development of hinterland, fisheries,
local drainage, sanitation, pollution ameliorative measures,
transport and disaster risk reduction.
GIS would be useful in identification of suitable fishing
sites, aquaculture infrastructure development, identification
of locations for tourist spots, harbours, routing of roads,
railways, etc.
ICZMP is being implemented in three states: West Bengal,
Orissa and Gujarat. In Gujarat, GEC has been appointed as the
State Project Management Unit.
PTI
