Project Title:
Setting Up of District Level Data Base Centre at Munger, Bihar.

Thematic Area:
Development of District Level Digital Database for Resource Planning and Management.

Location:
Latitude :24058’49"N - 25029'47" N 
Longitude :86023'53"E - 86046'59" E 

Objective:
Collection of data available from different sources on:
Land - Geology and geomorphology, soil, landuse and land cover and cropping pattern
Demography - population, literacy, occupation etc.
Infrastructure - Road & Transport, Post & Telegraph and Power Supply
Education - Location of schools and colleges, attendance, employment
Health Facilities - Health Centers and health care activities
Water resource - rainfall, surface and groundwater, irrigation, water quality, water requirements & use and scope for development
Environment - Problems, causes and possible solutions, forest resource status.
Development of database files with provisions for updating
Preparation of district level and block level thematic maps on themes of Objective 1. Using GRAM supported with software developed by CSME (to overcome the limitations of GRAM software at its early stage of development)
Development of software for information retrieval and statistical analysis of data as per user requirements.
During last phase of the project (1996 - 97) needs of district administration were focussed on objectives as follows:
Preparation of micro - watershed development plans
Block level optimum planning of waste land management
Optimum water resource planning of two blocks
Development planning of different micro-watersheds
Planning for optimum location of schools (mainly primary school), health centers, rural housing and dairy development

Abstract:
The database centre was initiated by Dr. Iqbaluddin of Geology Dept. of Aligarh Muslim University in 1989. Later the centre was operated under Dr. V. K. Srivastava of ISM, Dhanbad till April 1992 when the charge of the centre was handed over to Dr. A. K. Saha of CSME. 
Since then from a highly disorganised state of database centre a systematic work plan was formulated and implemented to develop a district level resource based information centre to support the administrators and planners for scientific planning and management of resources in a judicious manner. For better interaction and formulation of need based activities a district level committee was developed. Thus with the assistance from various levels as well as data generation in different fields like soil, groundwater etc by CSME, the digital data centre was set up with panchayat and block as unit for resource planning and management. The main targets were:
Documentation and appraisal of natural resources, infrastructure facilities and natural hazards.
Data generation on resources of which no systematic information was available and to reduce the resource information gaps.
Analysis status of Natural Resource utilisation with constraints and scope for future development of untapped resources
Upgradation of block maps with reconstituted mouzas and panchayets
Documentation and analysis of demographic and socio-economic status in different parts of the district
Preparation and presentation of different analysis as thematic map layers.

Highlights/Findings:
Agriculture and animal husbandry productions are mainstay of the people of the district as mineral resources are negligible and industrial development is minimal. There is considerable scope for agriculture development by utilizing surface water and groundwater for irrigation By way of proper land and water management; crop production of the area can at least be doubled. Desiltation and renovation of canals and water bodies are very much required. In addition, afforestation on wastelands will boost economic growth and livestock production. There is scope for industrial growth based on agriculture and forest produce.
Infrastructural facilities like roads, education and health centres are poorly developed
The annual flooding of the 'Diara Lands' and on mainlands adjacent to river Ganga poses serious problems on communication, law and order and human habitation
Unemployment is significantly high (more than 50% of the total work force in all the blocks)
Education and health facilities are improperly distributed. 
Power supply is inadequate and has not reached in many areas.
The area with all its natural endowments can be developed as tourist centres through development of Hot Springs and riverbank sites.

Data used:
The administrative layer data (district, block panchayat existed and later reconstituted). 
Base layer (River, Canal, Lakes, Road and Rail). 
IRS IB, LISS II imagery for study of land use and land cover cropping pattern and natural hazards and accordingly block level maps were prepared. 
Data on different infrastructures like road network, education, health centre, banks and markets etc and status of power and water supply for irrigation and cropping coverage were collected from respective offices and from block headquarters. Information on rainfall, flooding etc from district statistical office. 
For groundwater resource assessment apart from data generation on water table status, pump test, infiltration, electrical resistivity soundings and water quality analysis was carried out for aquifer study. This was supported with data collected from MID & PHED of Govt. of Bihar and from CGWB. 
Reports of GSI and soil maps of NBSS & LUP were also used.

Output:
Administrative (reconstituted) map of Munger, Isohyetal map, annual rainfall variation during monsoon & non-monsoon periods over the district, block & panchayet level. 
Maps on geology, geomorphology, soil, landuse and land cover, cultivation pattern, groundwater potential and scope for future development, water table status during pre and postmonsoon seasons. 
Availability of infrastructural facilities with locations of schools, health centres, banks, markets etc. 
Generation of alternative development plan for all the blocks, using multi-theme spatial and non-spatial database.

Date of Project completion:
31.03.1997.

Total cost of project:
Rs. 22, 03,000.00

 

Contact Details:
Hony. Secretary

Center for Study of Man & Environment,
Parivesh Kendra, CK-11, Sector-2, Salt Lake, 
Kolkata-700 091.
E-Mail: csme[at]vsnl[dot]net
Phone: (033) 23210861, 23590781