Journal of Geographic Information System, 2014, 6, 690-705

Published Online December 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jgis

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jgis.2014.66057

Web Enabled Multi-Layer

Geo-Database for Moinabad
Mandal in Rangareddy District,
Telangana
Simhachalam Alajangi, Satyanarayana Prasad Nerella
National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, North Eastern Regional Centre, Guwahati, India
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Received 18 September 2014; revised 15 October 2014; accepted 10 November 2014

Copyright © 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract
The importance of Web-based GIS applications for government is to analyze the information they
produce and to establish their impact on efficiency, effectiveness and transparency. The potential
of Remote Sensing and GIS provides cost and time-effective resource database. An attempt was
made to develop a Web enabled Geo database for the Moinabad Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Te-
langana. Further this database was used to develop a web enabled multi-layer geo database using
ArcGIS Server. It enables the users to know the information and take better decisions, better plan-
ning in different rural development sectors.

Keywords
Web GIS, Geo Database, Thematic Layers, ArcGIS Server

1. Introduction
The geographic information system has been an effective tool for implementation and monitoring of municipal
infrastructure. The use of GIS has been in vogue primarily due to the advantage mentioned below:
• Planning of project
• Make better decisions
• Visual analysis
• Improve organizational integration

How to cite this paper: Alajangi, S. and Nerella, S.P. (2014) Web Enabled Multi-Layer Geo-Database for Moinabad Mandal
in Rangareddy District, Telangana. Journal of Geographic Information System, 6, 690-705.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jgis.2014.66057
 S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

WebGIS is a new technology used for data display and to access analysis and query functionality from a GIS
Server over the internet or intranet. Interactivity, user-friendliness and platform independent operation are some
of the major advantages of WebGIS.

1.1. Planning of Project

Advantage of GIS is often found in detailed planning of project having a large spatial component, where analy-
sis of the problem is a pre requisite at the start of the project. Thematic maps generation is possible on one or
more than one base maps, example: the generation of a land use map on the basis of a soil composition, vegeta-
tion and topography. The unique combination of certain features facilitates the creation of such thematic maps.
With the various modules within GIS it is possible to calculate surface, length, width and distance.

1.2. Making Decisions

The adage “better information leads to better decisions” is as true for GIS as it is for other information systems.
A GIS, however, is not an automated decision making system but a tool to query, analyze, and map data in sup-
port of the decision making process. GIS technology has been used to assist in tasks such as presenting informa-
tion at planning inquiries, helping resolve territorial disputes, and siting pylons in such a way as to minimize
visual intrusion.

1.3. Improving Organizational Integration

Many organizations that have implemented a GIS have found that one of its main benefits is improved manage-
ment of their own organization and resources. Because GIS has the ability to link data sets together by geogra-
phy, it facilitates interdepartmental information sharing and communication. By creating a shared database one
department can benefit from the work of another-data can be collected once and used many times.

2. Web Based GIS Applications

Web application is an application that is accessed over a network such as the internet or an intranet (Shklar and
Rosen, 2009). Web applications are popular because of the ubiquity of web browsers and the convenience of
using a web browser as a client, sometimes called a thin client (Peng and Tsou, 2003). A key reason for their
popularity is the ability to update and maintain web applications without distributing and installing software on
potentially thousands of client computers and is the inherent support for cross-platform compatibility (Fowler
and Stanwick, 2004).
The number of web-based applications that use techniques derived from geographic information system (GIS)
have seen an enormous increase (Haklay et al., 2008). Through a web interface, GIS equipped tools can provide
a wide range of planning activities. At the same time, they are able to assist the coordination between the plan-
ning authorities and public. In the planning processes, these tools, hence, can be a simple map to front-ending
complex spatial analysis ranging from day-to-day to future planning which make more effective processes.
To give users’ expected results of real time GIS analysis, the proper tool requirements are important with the
choice of mapping, database, and development technologies and standards. This further presents an assessment
involving different technologies and their value in order to achieve in a range of circumstances (Grunwald et al.,
2003). Web-based GIS is a GIS distributed across a computer network to integrate, disseminate, and communi-
cate geographic information on the World Wide Web (WWW) (Peng and Tsou, 2003). Also it provides end-us-
ers a cost-saving solution to access up-to-date spatial datasets and information comparing to other GIS systems
(Horanont et al., 2002; Painho et al., 2001). Hence, an important part of every web-based GIS application is its
mapping or visualization technology, which makes it possible to show data in the form of maps.

3. Study Area
Moinabad Mandal, Rangareddy District, Telangana was taken as a project covering 27 villages. The present
study area is spread over between 78˚11'26''E - 78˚20'50''E Longitude and 17˚14'36''N - 17˚24'34''N Latitude
occupying 206 Sq. Km area.The Moinabad Mandal is surrounded by Rajendra Nagar, Shankarpalli, Chevella,
Shabad and Shamshabad Mandals. The study area map is shown in Scheme 1.

691
S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

Scheme 1. Study area map.

3.1. Transport and Communication

The study area Moinabad Mandal is well connected by road network. The National High-ways passing through
the District and other major roads maintained by different agencies i.e. under state highway 260 Kms, Major
District roads 1160 Kms, and Panchayathi Raj 4370 Kms. account for 5790 KMs. of total road length.

3.2. Climate
The Climate of the Block is characterized by a hot summer and is generally dry except during the South west
monsoon season. The year may be divided into four seasons. March to May is the summer season, June to Sep-
tember constitutes the South West monsoon season, October to December from the North East monsoon season
and January to February is the winter season.

3.3. Temperature
From about mid-February, both the day and night temperatures begin to increase steadily. May is the hottest
month with the mean daily maximum temperature at 39.6˚C with the onset of the southwest monsoon into the
district early in June, there is an appreciable drop in temperatures and weather becomes more pleasant. In the
beginning of November, the decrease in both day and night temperature is rapid. December is the coldest month
with the mean daily maximum temperature at 28.6˚C and mean daily minimum temperature at 13.6˚C.

692
 S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

3.4. Rainfall
The district has a normal rainfall of 781.0 mm. The bulk of it is received through the South West monsoon dur-
ing the period from June to September. The detailed analysis of precipitation is very important in the assessment,
management and development of Land and water resources.

4. Review of Literature
The existing literature on Application of GIS in Planning Rural Development and Web enabled GIS information
systems in different places are reviewed as fallows.
Dr. K. M. Lakshmana Rao [1], Head, Centre for Transportation Engineering, IPGSR, Jawaharlal Nehru Te-
chnological University, (2003) have been discussed about Rural Infrastructure Planning with emphasis on road
network connectivity by Coplanar Concurrent Theory. Rural roads are an important sector in rural development,
which deals in all aspects of development including agriculture, health, education, forestry, fisheries, small-scale
industries, trade, commerce etc. that depends on good communication. Rural transportation network will give
shape to the living environment of villagers; rather roads of rural transportation are the connectivity elements in
our society. Appropriate combination of various links both technically and economically can generate rural traf-
fic infrastructure, which should be prepared for the measure of land development.

4.1. Bhuvan: Web Geoportal for Indian Earth Observation Data

Bhuvan is an initiative to showcase Indian imaging capabilities with focus on Indian region, including global
coverage. It is an ambitious project of ISRO to take Indian images to other value added services in multiple spa-
tial resolutions to the people through a web geoportal for easy access to information on basic natural resources
in the geospatial domain.

4.2. e-MANCHITRA—Dr. L. R. Yadav

The project aims at eliminating the inter-regional disparities that persist as a problem in the decentralization
process, by generating village, block, district, divisional and state level thematic atlases based on SPIDER indi-
cators. Which gives greater responsibility and power to the local bodies for effective implementation and moni-
toring of development programmes. This helps in reducing the time lag, increases the consistency and accuracy
of data, cost efficiency and transparency, thus facilitating the superimposition of different layers on the same
administrative unit.

4.3. Infrastructures Planning

Infrastructures Planning in Rural Massachusetts has been discussed by Jeanne H. Armstrong, Meir Gross,
John R. Mullin and Robert D. Yaro (2006) [2], This paper presents the results of a study of rural infrastructure
problems in Massachusetts. While the laboratory was one State in the U.S.A., the results are applicable to situa-
tions in mature regions of many developed countries, where tight budgets and decaying infrastructure often go
hand in hand. To us, infrastructure means the system of roads, sewers, water lines, electrical lines and structures
that are under municipal control.

4.4. An Approach for Planning Rural Road Connectivity to Habitations under PMGSY
An Approach for Planning Rural Road Connectivity to Habitations under PMGSY has been discussed by
Vivek Chitale and M. Vinayak Rao (2006) [3] Electronic governance includes all aspects of physical planning,
management of social and physical infrastructure, and enhancement/restructuring of existing facilities, facility
management and land use planning. In all these areas, there is a special emphasis on spatial dimensions. In the
present age of emerging technologies, Geomatics which is the synergy of multiple disciplines has evolved as a
separate discipline dealing with spatial and non-spatial information, its method of acquisition, organization,
classification, analysis, management, display and dissemination

4.5. GIS Based Modeling for Rural Infrastructure Planning

GIS Based Modeling for Rural Infrastructure Planning has been altercated by Dr. S. K. Ghosh [4], Asso-

693
S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

ciate Professor of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (2004) funded by Department of Science &
Technology New Delhi, a strategic GIS based model for rural infrastructure planning has been developed. Lak-
sar block of Haridwar district in Uttaranchal has been selected for developing the prototype model.

4.6. A Web-Based Application for Real-Time GIS

A Web-Based Application for Real-Time GIS: by O. Ozdilek, a, *, D. Z. Seker, ITU, Civil Engineering Fa-
culty, Maslak Istanbul, Turkey. As weather is the statement of the physical conditions at an instant, forecasting
is of concern to one and all living bodies over the earth. As such, time immemorial weather forecasting is a sub-
ject of great concern for the physical scientists (Saseendran, 2003).

4.7. Web-Based GIS and Spatial Decision Support System Watershed Management
Jin-Yong Choi, Bernard A. Engel and Richard L. Farnsworth. This paper explores relationships between infor-
mation technology and hydrologic/water quality analysis DSS. It also describes a conceptual web-based SDSS
framework in terms of system components. Further, a web-based watershed management SDSS that has been
operating based on this framework using web-GIS for watershed delineation, map interfaces and data prepara-
tion, a hydrologic model for hydrologic/water quality impact analysis and web interface programs foroperation
through the Internet.

5. Data Used and System Design

Toposheets: 56K3NE, 56K7/NW, 56K3SE, 56K7SW, 56K4NE, 56K8NW
Satellite data: Quick bird Image (Bing Map), IRS P6 LISS IV and PAN data
Ancillary Data and Field Data
The following methodology has been adopted to generate the multi-layer geo database.

5.1. Maps Preparation

Different thematic maps namely base map, land use/land cover, slope, aspect, geology, geomorphology, hy-
dro-geomorphology, ground water potential and soils were prepared based on the standard methodology defined
by National Remote Sensing Agency, Dept. of Space, Govt. of India as per IMSD guidelines.

5.2. Base Map

The Base map was prepared from Survey of India toposheets on 1:25,000 scale comprising drainage system, set-
tlements, village administrative boundaries and road network for the study area. The toposheets used in the
study area are 56K3NE, 56K3SE, 56K4NE, 56K7NW, 56K7SW and 56K8NW.

5.3. Existing Infrastructure Facilities Mapping

All the facilities are mapped with Handheld Trimble Juno SB GPS.

5.3.1. Transport Facilities

As major area of Moinabad Mandal was moderately well in population, most of them are having BT Road,
Cart-Track and Footpath. The transport facilities map is showing in Figure 1.

5.3.2. Education Facilities

As a rural area, the Moinabad Mandal has having temperate educational facilities, but for this area it is good to
have this much location of educational facilities such as primary schools, secondary schools and middle schools.
Moinabad Mandal has 23 primary schools, 14 middle Schools and 5 secondary (High school). There is only one
college in Moinabad Mandal. The educational facilities map is showing in Figure 2.

5.3.3. Medical Facilities

Medical facilities in Moinabad Mandal are reasonable, as it is a rural area. Moinabad Mandal has only 1 Primary
Health Center, 10, Primary Health Sub Center, 3 Allopathic Center, 1 Ayurvedic Center, 1 Unani Center, 1

694
 S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

Homeopathic Center, 2 Health Center and 1 Nursing Home.

5.3.4. Post Offices

Moinabad Mandal also contains other facilities such as post offices. It has 11 post Offices, 1 Telegram office.

5.4. Drainage Network Map

A drainage basin is a natural unit draining run-off water to a common point. The drainage map consists of all
water bodies, rivers, tributaries, perennial & ephemeral streams, reservoirs, tanks, ponds and the entire drainage
network from first order originating in the area to the last order joining the rivers, tributaries and tanks based on
topography. Drainage network helps in delineation of watersheds. Drainage density and type of drainage gives
information related to runoff, infiltration relief and permeability.
The drainage map is prepared using projected toposheets of Survey of India in 1:25,000 scale and updated

Figure 1. Base map.

695
S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

Figure 2. Educational facilities map.

using latest satellite data wherever deviations and new developments are observed. Based on the post monsoon
satellite image extent of water spread and dry parts are updated. The water bodies which did not exist at the time

696
 S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

of survey of toposheets, if any are also captured based on satellite imagery. The drainage map is showing in
Figure 3.

5.5. Generation of TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) & DEM (Digital Elevation Model)
First contour data was digitized from projected toposheets with an interval of 5 mts. Contours are imaginary

Figure 3. Drainage map.

697
S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

lines drawn on map connecting points of equal heights. These are represents the elevation or height of the land
surface. The lowest contour was 535 m and the highest contour was 630 in the study area.
TINs are one of three formats commonly used to represent functional surfaces. The TIN data structure minimizes
the number of points needed to accurately represent surface variations. TINs can be represented directly as contours,
either alone or in combination with nodes, edges, and/or triangles. The standard attributes calculated for TIN.
For the generation of the TIN, contour data in the vector format was used to generate TIN using ArcMap 3D
analyst functions. Later this TIN is converted to DEM (Elevation raster) raster form by using spatial analyst
functions. Surface analysis process involves creation of elevation surfaces such as Digital Elevation Model
(DEM) from elevation data available either in the form of spot heights or contours.

5.6. Slope and Aspect Map

Slope is the degree of inclination of the surface from horizontal expressed in percent or degrees. In survey of In-
dia Toposheet the heights shown by contours (lines of equal elevation), which also give an indication of the
general topography and relief.
The slope information is useful in understanding the topography soil types their erodability, surface drainage.
Slope and relief also plays an important role in designing various check dams, canal alignments and transporta-
tion planning. Slope is a vital for land capability assessment, formulation and water conservation measure.
It is important to note that when the slope angle equals to 45 degrees the rise and run are equal and the slope
angle is equal to 100%. The slope map thus generated from elevation raster exhibits different slope categories
depending up on the slope of the terrain. The output cell size plays a very important role in generating output
slope raster. Slope map can be prepared manually as per AIS & LUS (All India Soil and Land Use Survey) and
also by using “Slope” option under Surface analysis function in Arc Map.
These slope classes can be reclassified as per our requirement. In general slope map comprises of seven broad
classes as per AIS & LUS (All India Soil and Land Use Survey). The slope map was prepared using The DEM
was used as a base for the generation of slope classes. The maximum slope was observed in the study area is
below 5%.

5.7. Aspect
Aspect is the direction of slope with respect to north. In output slope raster generation, aspect identifies the
down-slope direction from each cell to neighboring cells. The aspect values of the output raster will be measured
in the compass direction. i.e. from N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW ( i.e. 0˚ - 360˚ in clock-wise direction). Similarly,
flat surfaces which do not possess any direction can also be depicted.

5.8. Land Use/Land Cover Map

Land use is a primary indicator of the extent and degree to which man has made an impression on the earth’s
landscape. In one sense, it is an account of impact that man has made on the ecology, the growth and relevance
of the ancient civilization. Wherever agricultural resource management is positive in consonance with the con-
temporary and future needs of mankind, civilization has flourished. In the pastoral age, land use was developed
and modified over centuries when man tried to create a particular environment suited to his requirement. The
LULC map is showing in Figure 4.

6. Visual Interpretation
Image interpretation processes is an act of examining images/photographs for the purpose of identifying objects
and judging their significance. A systematic study of satellite images usually involves two basic visuals i.e. Im-
age elements and terrain elements.
Following are the eight characteristic Image elements that aid in image interpretation.
i) Tone/Colour, ii) Texture, iii) Pattern, iv) Shape, v) Size, vi) Shadows, vii) Site, viii) Association Terrain
Elements.
In addition to the image elements described above, the terrain elements listed below are also highly useful for
image interpretation. They are (i) Drainage patterns, (ii) Drainage texture, (iii) Topography/landform, (iv) Ero-
sion status.

698
 S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

Figure 4. Land Use/Land cover map.

The land use/land cover categories of the Mandal have been grouped into Six Level-I classes Viz., built-up
area, agricultural lands, forest lands, wastelands, water bodies and others. These Level-I classes have been further

699
S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

sub-divided into 11 Level-II classes. A detailed description of each of the land use/land cover class is described
in the following sub sections.

6.1. Built-Up Land

These are the areas of human habitation developed due to intensive non-agricultural use. The major villages in
the Moinabad Mandal are Moinabad, Pedda mangalaram, Aziznagar other villages. Chilukuru is the holy place
in the study area. The settlements cover an area of 606.59 hectares.

6.2. Crop Land

These lands are primarily used for production of food, fiber, commercial and horticultural crops. This category
is by and large is dependent on agro-climatic conditions and it is the dominant category in the study area. The
total crop land in the Moinabad Mandal is 6982.96 ha and double crop area is 7051.8 ha.

6.3. Fallow Land

These are the agricultural lands temporarily allowed to rest un-cropped during the agricultural year. This cate-
gory could be delineated using temporal satellite data wherein the signature of crops in the cropped areas is
conspicuous by their absence as on the data of satellite overpass. There may be various reasons that may be at-
tributed for keeping the land fallow-like social, economic and natural factors. This category occurs as small iso-
lated pockets within crop land and covers an area of 654.16 ha.

6.4. Plantations
It is described as an area under agricultural tree crops, planted adopting certain agricultural management tech-
niques. These plantations covers an area of 464.76 ha of Moinabad Mandal.

6.5. Wastelands
It is described as degraded land which can be brought under vegetative cover with reasonable effort and which is
currently under-utilized and land which is deteriorating for lack of appropriate water and soil management or on
account of natural causes (NRSA. 1991). Three categories of wasteland have been identified and mapped in the
study area. A brief description of which is given below.

6.6. Land with/without Scrub

The land with scrub are the lands with soils that are too shallow; skeletal or chemically degraded lands with
moderate to steep slope and are mostly covered with scrubs of different densities and varying height. Land
without scrub is the counter part of the previous category, but without any vegetation cover on the land. The to-
tal area under this category is 4152 ha.
Stony waste area covers 238.3 ha.

6.7. Water Bodies

The streams/rivers, tanks, and reservoirs are included in this category. The major stream passing through the
Mandal is Machkund. These are being used for irrigation and drinking purposes. Water bodies cover an esti-
mated area of 133 ha.

6.8. Geology
The most of the study area are covered with Deccan traps and some portion covered with granitic gneisses. The
GSI (Geological Survey of India) geological map on 250,000 was used as base and updated with latest satellite
imagery for the preparation of Geology map.

6.9. Structural Map

The weak zones such as faults, thrusts, shere zones, fractures etc., and linear intrusions such as dykes, quartz

700
 S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

viens, etc., form the structure controlled units. Irrespective of rock type and land form, they act as conduits and
barriers for ground water movement. The structural map of moinabad mandal shows the only lineaments.

6.10. Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the study of forms and process of landforms, which are the products of various exogenetic
and endogenetic forces. The synoptic view of satellite imagery facilitates better appreciation of Geomorphology
and helps in mapping of different landforms and their assemblage. The photo-interpretation criteria, such as tone,
texture, shape, size, location, association, physiography, genesis of the landforms, nature of rocks/sediments,
associated geological structures, etc. are to be used for identification of different landforms/geomorphic units.
Lithology, drainage and contour maps are considered while preparing the geomorphology map.
For the present study area IRS P6 LISS-IV July 2010 satellite imagery and SOI Toposheets 1:25,000 scales
have been used to map various geomorphic features in order to delineate groundwater potential zones in the area.
Based on the interpretation of the satellite imagery and SOI Toposheets the following hydro-geomorphic units
have been delineated on 1:25,000 scale.
The geomorphic units occurred in the study area are described Moderately Dissected plateau (MDP) unit is
mostly seen in the central part of area covering 1229 ha. and the groundwater prospects in this unit are poor to
moderate. Moderately thick lateritic plateau (MLP) mapping unit occupies an area of 341 ha of the total study
area. Structural valley (SV) unit is mostly seen along the major streams in the study area covering an area
about 382 ha.

6.11. Ground Water Prospects Map

Groundwater is the only reliable source for irrigation in the study area. The area experience recurrent drought
conditions and acute shortage of even for drinking purpose. Shallow dug wells, which tap weathered zone, with
transmissivity, but they are limited in number. The groundwater prospects in the moderately dissected plateau in
the study area are poor to moderate.
Ground water prospects based on the integration of the thematic layers [5] namely, lithology, geological
structures, geomorphic units and ground water recharge conditions final ground water prospects map has been
prepared indicating the ground water potential zones in the study area. The integration of the thematic layers for
Ground water prospects shown in Table 1.
In this present study area covers the 382 ha in moderate to good, 341 ha in moderate and 1231 ha in poor to
moderate unit occupies an area of the study area.

6.12. Soil
Soil is a major component of land system which provides a medium for plant growth. The potentials and limita-
tions of a soil for sustained use under agriculture, horticulture, silvipasture and forestry as well as its response to
irrigation and other management practices are controlled by its inherent qualities and characteristics. The quality
of the soil is a function of its morphological, morphometric, physical and chemical characteristics. These cha-
racteristics are expressed a taxonomic class as depicted on soil map with locational reference. Soil mapping of
the region is intended to serve as a crucial input for preparing an integrated plan for sustainable development of
the area. Soil surveys provide desired information on nature, location, extent and physio-chemical characteristics
along with their spatial distribution.
The specific objectives of the soil mapping are Identification, characterization and classification of the soils of
the area, Generation of derivative maps and Land evaluation for food/cash and horticultural crops.
Soil map is showing distribution of soil types and/or soil properties (soil pH, textures, organic matter, depths
of horizons etc.) in the area of interest. It is typically the end result of a soil survey inventory, i.e. soil survey.
Soil maps are most commonly used for land evaluation, spatial planning, agricultural extension, environmental
protection and similar projects. Traditional soil maps typically show only general distribution of soils, accompa-
nied by the soil survey report. Many new soil maps are derived using digital soil mapping techniques. Such
maps are typically richer in context and show higher spatial detail than the traditional soil maps. Soil maps pro-
duced using (geo) statistical techniques also include an estimate of the model uncertainty. In the study area, Red
Loamy soils predominate with coverage of 67% of the villages of the Mandal. The Soils are poor textured and

701
S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

easily drained. Sandy loamy soils come next with 33% of the villages of the Mandal. The soil map is showing in
Figure 5.

Figure 5. Soil map.

Table 1. Ground water prospects.

Mapping Hydro geomorphic

Litho-Stratigraphy Structure Description Ground water prospects
Symbol Units
Associated The valley portions of basalts
Moderate to good. Good yields
with weathered to a considerable depth
SV Structural valley Basalts are expected along
Fractures/ and associated with fractures/
Fractures/Lineaments.
Lineaments lineaments.
Shallow valleys/Gullies with gentle
Moderately
MDP Basalts -do- sloping land developed due to Poor to moderate.
dissected plateau
stream erosion on plateau.
Elevated flat land with Moderate. Ground water occurs
Moderately thick Laterites as capping moderately thick lateritic
MLP -do- mainly in the weathered and
lateritic plateau over basalts
Plateau. fractured zones of basalts.

702
 S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

6.13. Land Capability Classification

The knowledge of land capability classification is prerequisite and important for planning, implementation &
execution of the work of soil and water conservation programmes. Land capability classification is a systematic
classification of different kinds of land according to those properties which determine the ability of the land to-
produce common cultivated crops & pasture plants virtually on permanent basis (Tejwani, 1976). This classifi-
cation is made primarily for agricultural purposes and it enables the farmer to use the land according to its capa-
bility and to treat it according to its need. The concept of land capability classification has been developed in
USA for soil conservation on farmlands.

6.13.1. Land Capability Classification Scheme

The land is divided into eight capability classes, which are numbered in Roman numerals from I to VIII. Each
class assigned a standard Colour. These eight classes are grouped in two Land use suitability groups viz., (i)
“Land suited for cultivation and other uses” (class I to Class IV), and (ii) “Land not suited for cultivation, but
suitable for other uses” (Class V to Class VIII). The land capability classes are based on the degree of erosion
hazards and the intensity of limitations for use. Class I land is the best and the most easily farmed land and has
no hazard or limitation for use, while in class VIII land nothing of economic value can be produced, and it may
need protection & management to conserve other more valuable lands and watersheds.

6.13.2. Land Capability Subclasses

Land capability subclasses represent the dominant limitation for agricultural use. Class I soils do not have limi-
tations for crop production and are not assigned a subclass.
Sub class e is made up of soils for which the susceptibility to erosion is the dominant problem or hazard af-
fecting their use. Erosion susceptibility and past erosion damage are the major soil factors that affect soils in this
subclass.

Figure 6. Calculating area.

703
S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

Figure 7. Action plan map.

6.14. Land Irrigability Classification

The interpretation of soil and land conditions for irrigation is concerned primarily with predicting the behavior
of soils under the greatly altered water regime brought about by irrigation. To carryout land irrigability classifi-
cation of command areas, special interpretation and classification of soils for sustained use under irrigation are
often required. The classification is based on effective soil depth, soil texture, soil permeability, coarse frag-
ments etc. The soils are grouped into soil irritability classes according to their limitations for sustained use under
irrigation, regardless of their location or the size of the individual mapping unit.

Land Irrigability Classes

The suitability of land for irrigation depends on physical, economic and cultural factors in addition to soil irriga-
bility classes. Besides, the following physical and socio-economic factors are considered in determining land ir-
rigability classes.

704
 S. Alajangi, S. P. Nerella

• Quality and quantity of irrigation water available from surface and ground water resources.
• Requirement of drainage.
• Cost of production of crops and their yield potentials.
• Costs of land development.
• Factors effecting input-output ratio.
Based on the integration of the different thematic Layers in the GIS Domain the following Soil and water
conservation measures were suggested based on the soil, slope, Drainage pattern and the present land use pattern
for the study area.

7. Conclusions
The present project emphasizes on the power of GIS technology which will help the decision makers at block
level to better understand and evaluate spatial data by creating graphic displays using information stored in the
database. A GIS based infrastructure planning will help the government in planning, implementation and moni-
toring of various projects for development in different fields at much faster rate which in turn will make the state
technologically more developed.
This analysis has confirmed the need for spatial planning, which can achieve the desired results of economic,
social interaction and overall development of a region. This study involves a methodology for rank ordering the
various settlements, so that, priorities for linking the settlements can be worked out.
This GIS database will be customized to meet the requirements of stake holder departments/concerned in pro-
viding the digital resource databases and any other requirements of the block, based on their problems/priority/
developmental programmes at Village/Block/Taluka level. The customized interface web application is shown
in Figure 6 and Figure 7.

References
[1] Lakshmana Rao, M., (2003) Rural Infrastructure Planning with Emphasis on Road Network Connectivity by Coplanar
Concurrent Theory, Map India, 2-4.
[2] Armstrong, J.H., Gross, M., Mullin, J.R. and Yaro, R.D. (2006) Infrastructures Planning in Rural Massachusetts, 12-
22.
[3] Chitale, V. and Vinayak Rao, M. (2006) An Approach for Planning Rural Road Connectivity to Habitations under
PMGSY, 8-10.
[4] Bazlington, C. (2002) Geographical Information Systems and Housing Needs, 4.
[5] Groundwater Prospects Mapping Using Remote Sensing and GIS (Manual) by NRSA, 2008.

705