The Block Level Resource Atlas is designed to meet the increasing need for an accurate resources database to undertake meaningful area based planning to achieve sustainable development and poverty reduction through the optimum use of available resources in a geographical area.

The Block Level Resources Atlas & GIS database to be generated for Non KBK blocks of Orissa state, will be in digital format and will include village wise upto date information on natural resources, infrastructure, environment, demography, climate, and the Govt. schemes operating in individual village relating to services/utilities, amenities and infrastructure etc. Each individual block atlas would help the administrators, decision makers, engineers and resource managers to develop plans and schemes for resource management, environmental conservation/monitoring and location specific problem solving. The database will cater to the needs of different departments and local level offices engaged in development planning by providing accurate, up-to-date and systematic datasets to cater to the needs at GP/Block/District/State level. Both Satellite Remote Sensing and Geographic Information system will be utilized for spatial and attribute database generation. Separate atlas and CD will be generated for each block in user friendly manner.

Studies of natural resources conducted so far in the State are limited in scope as they cater only for baseline information required for regional planning and evaluation. There is a need of creation of a micro-level village/block level datasets on natural resources, socio-economic condition, demographic pattern, resource distribution pattern and institutional infrastructures. These datasets are important primarily for accounting of Natural and Human Resources and planning at regular intervals. Such information are now possible to generate by using high resolution satellites ( like Resourcesat & CARTOSAT etc.) derived spatial data sets and integration by GIS Techniques. The present endeavour is to achieve the goal of generation of an up-to-date, systematic and accurate database for Non-KBK region to cater to the needs of micro development planning . The database in digital format was generated for the KBK districts in the past in consulation with most of the line departments of the State and effort has been made to include all major parameters relating to natural and human resources, Infrastructures and utilities. At present some new layers will be added after consultation with line departments.

Since the project is time bound and work components comprise of data collection from individual block, data compilation, data entry, satellite image interpretation, field observations, GIS based analysis, GIS based map generation, map printing, documentation, etc. some part of the project work need to be completed through outsourcing utilizing outside empanelled vendors. An amount i.e. Rs. 137 lakhs as alloted in the budget for atlas preparation will be towards manpower, TA/DA, cost of computer operation/consumables, system maintenance, documentation and payment towards outsourcing besides the activities of database creation as mentioned above.

The time frame of the project is one year i.e. 2008-2009 i.e. to complete the database of 137 blocks. After availability of funds in supplementary budget the second phase activities will start. A preliminary meeting is proposed to be held under the Chairmanship of Development Commissioner to finalised the GIS data layers and work plan. In the phase-I 137 blocks of Non-KBK & non-coastal areas will be underatken. The list of blocks and the content of the proposed atlas is enclosed.