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Geographical Information System (GIS) plans for around 75% Gram Panchayats completed Ridge-to-valley approach: The systematic development of land, harnessing of rainwater following watershed principles.

GIS

• The GIS-based planning is an initiative of the Rural Development Ministry which helps the Gram Panchayats to ensure a scientific & holistic approach for planning at the Gram Panchayat level.
• The GIS is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing the geographic terrain and offers scientific choices of development works suitable to the area.
• This technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and geographic analysis benefits offered by the maps.
• GIS helps participatory planning at the implementation level. The Ministry has provided detailed training on the usage of GIS and Remote Sensing MGNREGA functionaries through the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Significance

• The systematic development of land, harnessing of rainwater following watershed principles (Ridge to Valley Approach) and creation of income-generating assets has become important aspect of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS works.
• The planning of works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS are now carried out using advanced technologies viz. Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS).
• Leveraged for this purpose is the much acclaimed ‘Bhuvan’ space technology solution from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• To further facilitate Gram Panchayat level planning of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS activities across India, Yuktdhara Geospatial Planning portal has been developed on Bhuvan Platform by National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA division MoRD.