Annual Report 2000-2001

Societal Programmes

Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS)

Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) is a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary S & T programme of DST to develop methodologies and techniques for operationalising the concept of micro level planning. Based on the principles of Geographic Information System (GIS), the Programme aims at setting up district level resource databases, demonstrating their utility in local level planning, developing Spatial Decision Support Systems, promoting R & D in spatial data technologies and training of potential end-users. Under the Programme, pilot scale district GIS centers have been set up in selected districts of the country to construct GIS-based resource databases and demonstrate their applicability. To support building up of the resource databases, a GIS software package (GRAM++) has been developed on WINDOWS 95/98/NT platforms with features to facilitate spatial data retrieval, analysis and modeling. Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) have been developed in selected sectors of rural development like water management, land use planning, energy budgeting, and infrastructure development to help drawing up of integrated development strategies and aid decision-making.

During the year 2000-01, a planning atlas on Kheda and Anand districts of Gujarat has been brought out for use by the concerned district authorities. A multi-media GIS Tutor has been developed around the GRAM++ GIS package to facilitate training of end-users on the principles and applications of GIS technology. Features of GRAM++ and the Decision Support Systems in Water Management and Energy Budgeting have been further enhanced to make them user-friendly. Studies have been launched to provide a local language interface to the GRAM++ GIS to enhance its acceptability among the district level end-user community.

District GIS Centres

The following district GIS centers have been set up in collaboration with the concerned State Governments during 2000-01:

• Nainital and Tehri Garhwal (Uttar Pradesh)
  
• Jalpaiguri (West Bengal)
  
• Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Ambala (Haryana)

The Centers set up at Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore districts have been taken over by the Government of West Bengal for updation of the databases and their use by the local authorities.

UNDP-NRDMS Project

The project "GIS-based Technologies for Local level Development Planning (IND/95/002)" launched with an assistance of $ 1.26 million in November, 1996 from UNDP to upgrade the NRDMS methodology came to an end in December, 2000. Major outcomes of the project include

• a comprehensive understanding of the data needs of the district level line departments through a systematic "Needs Assessment" study
  
• WINDOWS-based Geo Referenced Area management (GRAM++) package with features to address the above needs
  
• Decision Support tools in the sectors of land and water management, energy budgeting, and infrastructure development
  
• Area development profiles and
  
• Training kits to train the staff on the above tools / techniques
  

Activities completed under the project during 2000-01 are the following:

GRAM++ GIS package

Based on the end-user feedback obtained through the training workshops on GRAM++ and subsequent test runs of its functions, Modules of the GRAM++ package have been debugged and upgraded with additional features. Functions to facilitate delineation of watersheds using digital elevation models have been added to support watershed analysis. GRAM++ tools have been developed to help build up applications to suit specific needs of the end-users. A prototype of the web-browser around GRAM++ is available for browsing of GRAM-based databases by a remote user. A multi-media GIS tutor has been developed for self-training of the end-users on principles and applications of GRAM++.

DSS for Water Management

The DSS developed for Water Management has been tested and demonstrated for Upper Gandheswari sub-basin using the GIS database of Bankura district. Using the DSS, an assessment has been made of the impact of a change in crop from rice to maize on water availability in different watersheds of the sub-basin. The quantitative estimate of the impact of the proposed change of crop on different components of water balance and sediment yield has also been studied. It has been observed that there is a decrease in runoff and increase in ground water recharge with the change in crop from rice to maize. Sediment yield under maize has shown an increasing trend. The DSS is being tested for other watersheds.

DSS for Energy Budgeting

The DSS for Energy Budgeting has the built-in capabilities to make an assessment of the demand of energy in different sectors of energy consumption e.g. residential cooking, residential non-cooking, irrigation, and industry. The DSS is capable of assessing the potential of renewable energy sources like biomass, wind energy, solar energy. The DSS has been linked to the GRAM++ GIS package to study the spatial distribution of energy demand, pattern of availability of resources and the deficit. Its tools have been tested on data sets from Bankura and Kolar districts. Potential end-users from the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, concerned State Governments, State Energy Development Agencies, and NGOs have been trained on the use of DSS during two training workshops held in October, 2000 and January, 2001.

Area development profile

An area development profile has been prepared using the GIS database of Bankura district for the use of the district authorities. The profile contains thematic information on a variety of sectors at district and block levels on themes like digital elevation model, land use / land cover, stream, roads & settlements, soil, geomorphology, geology, hydro-geomorphology, administrative boundaries including village boundary, cropping pattern, population, occupational structure, and location of facilities (primary health centers, hospitals, schools, places of worship, fair price shops etc.),and various social indicators like migration, literacy, work-force, civic amenities, fertility, and human development index. An almanac of the district has been developed for quick retrieval and analysis of various thematic information useful in local level planning .

Multi-media GIS Tutor

A Multi-media GIS Tutor has been developed for training of line department officials and other end-users on the concepts and theories of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The Tutor explains the concept and theory of GIS through graphical illustrations supported with facilities to display maps, tabular data, and execute operations on both spatial and attribute data. It contains technical sections, applications, and exercises around GRAM++. Uniqueness of the Tutor lies in the provision of GRAM++ GIS package with hands-on exercises, test data sets to run the exercises, and the user documentation explaining the steps to be followed in carrying out them.

Consultants & fellowships

One consultant from USA provided expert consultancy to the project in the field of Decision Support System for Energy Budgeting. Ten scientists were deputed on training fellowships to the Netherlands, Australia, and South Africa during the year in the areas of Geographic Information System, Groundwater Modelling, and SAR Interferometry respectively.

Hydrology of Small Watersheds

The International Committee on Run-off defines a small watershed as the region affecting the peak run-off by overland flow rather than the channel flow. Consequently, the small watershed is a sensitive zone to high intensity rainfall of short duration and to the changes in land use pattern, in contrast to the larger watersheds wherein effect of channel flow or the basin storage becomes pronounced. Realising the importance of the problem, and gaps in understanding the hydrology of small watersheds due to lack of adequate data, a coordinated research activity on "Hydrology of Small watersheds" has been initiated under the Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) programme. The objectives of the research are to:

• 
  
• Develop data banks on hydrologic and other related physical variables from typical small watersheds of different agro-climatic zones
  
• Understand the impact of treatments on soil erosion and hydrologic regime and
  
• Develop process based hydrological models to facilitate construction of GIS-based Decision Support Systems for local level planning.

As a part of the activity, a pair of treated and untreated small watersheds (each about 10 Sq. Kms.) located in different regions like Tawa basin in Raisen district of M.P., Loni basin in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, Garhwal district of U.P., Attapady region in Palghat district of Kerala, Kolar district of Karnataka have been instrumented to collect hydrological and meteorological data. Data on precipitation, stream water level, stream flow, relative humidity, evaporation, wind speed, solar radiation, wet and dry temperature, maximum / minimum temperature, ground water level, infiltration, soil moisture content, suspended sediment, ground water quality, stream water quality and soil characteristics have been collected over the last couple of years to develop hydrological models for the watersheds and regionalize them for the respective agro-climatic zones.

SAR Interferometry

SRTM Mission experiments

With the 11 days mission of the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) between 11th - 22nd February, 2000, field experiments were conducted at eleven chosen test sites located in (i) typical areas prone to natural disasters e.g. earthquake, landslide (ii) areas experiencing slow but steady change like those covered by glaciers and (iii) hilly terrains. In each of the test sites, four Corner Reflectors (CRs) were installed synchronous with the SRTM flight path and their locations were measured with GPS instruments. Digital Elevation Models of the test sites will be calibrated using accurate locational observations taken using GPS. The calibrated DEMs will be useful as benchmark for monitoring minute crustal movements / deformations and in other applications.

Training and dissemination

As a follow up of the decision to develop trained manpower on SAR Interferometry, a second advanced training course was organized at CSRE, IIT, Bombay with the involvement of a French scientific group during 29 March - 11 April, 2000. Twenty two scientists drawn from various research and academic institutions participated in the training.

To disseminate information on the activities of this emerging technology among the Indian SAR (InSAR) group, a newsletter and a website have been launched.

Landslide studies

Benchmark studies related to geo-technical investigation of landslides have been initiated at four landslide sites at Chanmari (Sikkim), Karshinga (Arunachal Pradesh), Sher-ka-danda (Uttaranchal), Powari (Himachal Pradesh). The sites have been instrumented with piezometers, inclinometers, rain gauges and extensometers to collect in situ data on various parameters responsible for the occurrence of landslides. The studies will be useful in developing reliable databases to investigate various factors affecting the probability of landslides.

In order to assess the possible risks of river blockades in a landslide prone terrain, an area around Chamoli was selected for delineating hazard zones and estimating the risk they generate for river blockades. Sections along Alakananda and Birahi Ganga rivers are being studied in detail to identify the stretches susceptible to such blockades.

Soil nailing technique has been adopted to control landslides in the Rishikesh - Badrinath Road in U.P. Slopes were instrumented with piezometers, bore hole extensometers and strain gauges for monitoring the movement and testing the efficacy of the technique. Preliminary observations indicate that the slopes have attained reasonable stability.

As a part of the Jai Vigyan Mission Project on "Natural Hazard Assessment in Himalayas", five landslide sites have been identified in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim for carrying out detailed geological and geo-technical studies. State Councils For Science & Technology

Assistance for Development

In order to encourage and promote science and technology activities in the States and UTs, the Department of Science and Technology has been operating a scheme entitled, "Assistance for Development of State Councils on Science and Technology"since 1980 . The main objective of the scheme is to assist all the States/ UTs to set up State Councils on Science and Technology which in turn could help the States in formulation, planning, coordination and promotion of S&T activities within their respective States. As a result of catalytic role played by DST in close cooperation with the Planning Commission and States/ UTs , State S&T structures have been set-up in all the States except the three recently formed States.

During the 9th Plan , the horizons of the scheme were considerably expanded and the character of the 'State Councils Scheme' of DST underwent a major change. All the objectives of the scheme aimed at upliftment of socio-economic conditions of States were activated. DST assumed a pro-active role and ventured into programme-based-cooperation with State Councils to address location specific and region specific problems while continuing with its earlier role of providing catalytic support to sustain them.

This 'phase change' was successfully operationalised and a wide range of S&T projects, programmes and activities relevant to States were identified, conceived and supported.

The main activities during 2000-2001 are enumerated below:-

Demonstration Projects

The projects on micro-hydel power generation units based on cross flow turbine technology developed by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore with DST support are ongoing at Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim. The 2x50 Kw project at Thuvopisu , Nagaland is expected to be commissioned by the end of current year. Pilot scale Reverse Osmosis Plants for treatment of hard/ brackish water is under implementation in Rajasthan and Gujarat . Demonstartion Plants for Mentha Distillation are being set up in U.P. and upliftment of small and marginal farmers is being achieved through a novel concept based on application of hydrams in H.P.

Replication of success models

A demonstration pollution control Unit in Cupola furnaces, based on technology developedPunjab State Council on Science & Technology, is nearing completion in Bihar. The detailed project report for setting up Solar Passive Demonstration Unit at Manipur has been finalised. The Technical Back-up unit set up under the aegis of HP State S&T Council has been further supported for two year to disseminate this technology amongst hill States.

Studies/ Surveys of interest to States:

DST (GOI) is supporting studies/ surveys to identify location specific problems in respective States. During the year , studies on " Identification of location specific problems for S&T intervention" (Assam State S&T Council ), "Survey, documentation and validation of technologies for fishing crafts" ( Manipur State S&T Council ) , "Pilot studies on low cost water filter" ( UP State S&T Council) and "Study of Brass & Bell Metal artisans in Bihar" were completed.

Location specific R&D and Technology Development

The project on sustainable cropping of Ginseng in Manipur was completed. The technology development projects on energy efficient cardamon drier has shown encouraging results at Sikkim and project on development of fishing crafts and gears for the wetlands of Manipur is to be initiated in collaboration of Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

State Councils' Exhibitions:

A Workshop -cum Exhibition on " Strategy & Initiative for Transformation of Rural areas" (SRISTI) was organised from 29th September- 2nd October,2000 at Jaipur. A workshop on the same theme was also organised during the first two days, which resulted in important suggestions regarding organising efforts for rural development through S&T. The exhibition, in general, and demonstration of diesel engine running on Karanj seeds by IISc, Bangalore, in particular evinced keen interest amongst scientific community as well as general public. This maiden event provided an opportunity to demonstrate successful development oriented technologies developed by various State S&T councils and Central S&T Agencies and facilitate horizontal transfer of technology amongst State S&T Councils.

State Council Meetings :

At the State level, DST participated in the General Body/ Executive Committee meeting of State S&T Councils of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu etc.

Support to S&T Secretariats :

Support has been initiated for A&N State S&T Council , while support for S&T Secretariats of 25 State S&T Councils were continued . This secretariat support has been critical in facilitating State S&T Councils in Planning, formulating and implementing S&T activities/ programmes at State level.

Experience Sharing :

During the year, a Regional Meeting of State S&T Councils/ Departments of North Eastern Region was organised during 2-3 April,2000 at Agartala. All India Thematic Meeting on "S&T in Location Specific Research" was organised on 23-24th May,2000 at Gangtok (Sikkim) to give special impetus to role of S&T in development.. These meetings resulted in identifying a set of recommendations on pursuing S&T activities in NE region . Regional Meeting of State S&T Councils/ Departments of Southern Region has been planned to take place by March, 2001.

Information Exchange:

In order to promote horizontal exchange of information between State S&T Councils, State S&T Newsletter SNAPSHOT has been brought out. The Newsletter is circulated to academic institutions and national laboratories for wider information dissemination. The web-site of State S&T Councils would also facilitate information dissemination about developmental efforts of State S&T Councils.

Jai Vigyan Science & Technology Mission entitled "Area Development Mission for Andaman & Nicobar Islands through Science & Technology."

12 projects have been identified under the broad areas of HRD, Fisheries, Medicinal plants, Housing, Energy, Food processing, Water management and environment in view of the specific requirements of A&N Islands. A project on bio-diversity in A&N Island has been initiated in collaboration with National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow.