Kerala State Land Use Board is actively involved in conducting studies on the judicious use of land, collection of micro level data on the existing land use, land resources, land degradation, under taking inventories and studies on natural resources. KSLUB offers technology solution in areas like resource based thematic mapping, spatial data base development and spatial decision support system. The Department also conducts awareness programmes for the public on land and water related issues. It also offers consultancy services for land use and spatial planning among line department and LSGIS. The Department plays an important role in formulating the land use policy of the state.
Details of different projects of KSLUB undertaken under three schemes are given below:
“STRENGTHENING OF STATE LAND USE BOARD”-2402-00-001-98 PLAN
The upgradation of the Geo informatics Laboratory as a state level digital data repository for land and water resource management is progressing. It aims at bringing available information into digital format and to deliver the same in a user friendly format for planners, administrators, LSGIs and other users in managing and updating data. It mainly includes upgradation, purchase of hardware, software and data products and implementation of e-office.
Water resources mapping and management plan for Grama Panchayats coming under over exploited and critical blocks of Kerala viz Chittoor, Malampuzha and Kasargod will be prepared. It is proposed to prepare Land Use decision Model for 10 panchayats coming under Special Agricultural Zones in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, with the aim of studying and suggesting optimized combination of land allocation for different uses ensuring minimized soil erosion and maximized people’s net income. Considering the rising demand from various departments for data regarding natural resources at lower levels, it is proposed to publish “Panchayath Level Natural Resource Data Bank”, of Thiruvananthapuram district by collecting primary data, pooling the data available in KSLUB and by collecting and compiling data from other resources.
The regular activities include meeting the annual maintenance charges of existing computers and printers, cartographic and documentation equipments, publication of News Letter “Vibhava Keralam”, purchase of journals and books, stationary and furniture, contingencies etc. It is proposed to organize Regional Seminars& awareness programmes for students, youth and farmers on the importance of Natural Resource Conservation. Exhibitions and processions will also be conducted as part of awareness programmes. Short term training courses will be conducted for officials of line departments on the topics of GIS and Remote Sensing. In service training programmes will also be conducted under this scheme aiming capacity building of the staff of the department.
Kerala State Land Use Board has prepared the Water Resources Management plan for Kattakada Legislative Constituency with the support of LSGIs and line departments as part of the “Jalasamrudhi” project. During 2018-19 it is proposed to document the activities undertaken under “Jalasamrudhi” project. The details will be made available in website enabling others to understand the activities followed.
RESOURCE SURVEY AT PANCHAYATH AND BLOCK LEVEL PLAN- 2402-00-001-96 PLAN
Natural Resource Management Plan for Thutha Sub Watershed, Palakkad district and Karuvannur puzha watershed, Thrissur district in collaboration with the District Panchayath, Palakkad and Thrissur will be prepared. Eco Restoration Plan will be developed through Land Cover Information Management system at Agro Ecological Unit Level for 13 micro watersheds, falling in the southern catchment of Manali River. During 2018-19, Desired land use plans will be developed for the 4 municipalities in Thiruvananthapuram district viz Attingal, Neyyattinkara, Nedumangad and Varkala. It is envisaged to popularize and create awareness to the functionaries of local bodies on the advantages on the use of PRM data including digital database in preparing local level plans. Under this activity, it is proposed to prepare awareness materials, conduct awareness seminars at District & Regional levels to highlight the utility of PRM data base. Pilot project on terrain analysis for ecorestoration of neyyar river basin in Thiruvananthapuramdistrict will be carried out.
LAND RESOURCE INFORMATION SYSTEM-2402-00-001-90P
Land Resources Information System is a web based Geographical Information System which has been developed by the Kerala State Land Use Board. During 2018-19 it is proposed to develop web based Wetland Information System (WLIS) with the assistance of IIITM-K for Ernakulam and Palakkad. The major objective of the project is to map all the wetlands of the selected districts, to analyse the present status of the wetlands and to prepare plans to bring back the cultivable wetlands through the proper integration of cultural and scientific methods. It also envisages to demonstrate and promote the use of spatial data technologies for local level planning and to provide software support for data management, modeling and operation research, R & D in spatial data technologies, technology transfer, capacity building and for linkage with users at different levels. In addition to this Watershed Database for entire state will be deployed in an online platform.
In addition to above projects Kerala State Land Use Board will be providing the Watershed Atlas of the entire State of Kerala in a digital user friendly format. This will be achieved by comparison and fine correction of the micro watershed boundary with toposheets and related natural boundaries using google/satellite imageries. In addition, the following information pertaining to the watershed of Kerala will be provided as attribute data for planning and execution of watershed projects in the State.
RESEARCH SUPPORT
Department has been continually offering research support to students, scholars, colleges/schools, various governmental and non-governmental organizations on various aspects of Land Use Planning. Data on Land use, soil, drainage, transport network, panchayat boundary, village boundary, etc were provided on demand basis. Many organizations are sending their research scholars to this organization for data and library support in guiding their research programmes. The rich data base available with the Department is being utilized for various research needs.
CONSULTANCY SERVICES
Department has been offering consultancy service in land use planning and GIS for line departments and LSGIs. Presently the department is functioning as the Technical Support Organization for preparing the Detailed Project Report for Block Panchayats under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme. The State Level Nodal Agency of IWMP has entrusted the department with the preparation of Preliminary Project Reports. Town Planning Department, Local Self Governments and several other agencies has awarded consultative GIS projects. By strengthening Geo informatics lab with increased manpower and infrastructure, department is now able to undertake more consultative projects, train more officials and provide good quality data and maps for planners, administrators, LSGIs and other users. The operating system and software enhancements also help to standardize software environment. Attending to the divergent needs of various groups, department is providing up-to-date customized software and tools for catering their needs. New Geo informatics lab enables the department to provide the latest technologies in the field of RS & GIS to various users including line departments, LSGIs, researchers, students, etc.
