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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear All,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> <SPAN id=__#Ath#SignaturePos__></SPAN>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The following url, <A
href="http://education.vsnl.com/ecollage/index.htm">http://education.vsnl.com/ecollage/index.htm</A> details
some features of MESSIAH (the Mahabaleshwar EcoSensitive area Spatial
Information Access system by Http) developed at Ecollage on <A
href="http://www.baylor.edu/grass/">GRASS GIS</A><FONT face=Arial size=2>. <FONT
face=Arial size=2>The site is presently a collection of screen shots with
captions intended to show how the tool can be used (we are limited to using
only 1MB of space at present, so the site is very
primitive!).</FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial
size=2>MESSIAH </FONT></FONT>allows for storage, access and output of data
specifically required for different management inputs, for almost 400sq.km. of
land in the Mahabaleshwar region, <FONT face=Arial size=2>uniting
cadastral mapping systems and remote (satellite) imagery within a GIS
domain. </FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2>A list of
primary and derived spatial and non-spatial data already functional within the
system is appended below.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face=Arial
size=2><FONT face=Arial size=2>MESSIAH contains information vital to sound
decision-making for local and regional planning and </FONT>can be used not
only to manipulate information (separately or together) but also to model
the effects of proposed management interventions for any point within the
system. </FONT>Changes in water management upstream can be explored to
discover potential problems for downstream users. Engineering or construction
applications that require information on slope and soil type, are sometimes
also affected by demands that certain areas (especially forest) remain
outside `development' boundaries and these are sometimes governed by
'hidden' laws. MESSIAH allows access to all of this information, so immediate
decisions can be made based on defined areas of suitable slope available for
development that do not affect legally protected and/or conservation priority
areas. </FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV>We intend to set up MESSIAH on the world wide web, providing potential
users the power of information and GIS capability on their desktops without
needing either hardware or GIS expertise to manipulate the information
(thanks to <A href="http://regis.berkeley.edu/grasslinks/">GRASSLinks</A>).
Ecollage has already begun liasing with Governent Agencies, Universities and
NGOs in the region to allow free access and use of MESSIAH.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We hope to be able to provide 59 computers at each of the ESA's villages
with dial-up capability and provide a Marathi interface so that each village can
track future planning thereby increasing their stake in the
development process. Ecollage will further develop MESSIAH based on the
information requirements of these users. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Because we use open source computing, the cost of setting up the
infrastructure necessary for connectivity at these sites remains
minimal.</DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The biggest advantages of a web enabled MESSIAH is
easy access, editing and updating of information relevant to the development
process; faster access to user-specific information and possibilities of work
integration between different agencies who can contibute and share data as a
common resource.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>We need your help to set up and maintain this system on the world
wide web.</STRONG> Till MESSIAH is web enabled, the information contained within
is free-to-use. If you have a specific query/analysis please email us. We will
process the information and send it on to you.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Please email us at <A
href="mailto:ecollage@vsnl.net">ecollage@vsnl.net</A> or write us at Ecollage,
11A, 203/2A Rajiv Nagar, Viman Nagar, Pune 411 014 if you can support MESSIAH.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Ecollage is a Public Charitable Trust registered with the Charity
Commissioner, Mumbai. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Sujoy Chaudhuri</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Managing Trustee</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Ecollage</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV align=center><STRONG>Functional data 'layers' within MESSIAH</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV align=center>
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</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><U><STRONG>24 Primary Spatial Data at 1:50,000
scale:</STRONG></U> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Land use map, Land cover map, Geological Structure
map, Drainage Network Map, Relief (Contour) map, Watershed Boundary map,
ESA/Region map, Village boundary map, Settlement map, District Boundary map,
Taluka boundary map, Forest boundary map, Springs map, Tourist `Points' map,
Road Network map, Electric and telephone network map, Endangered Fauna Habitat
availability/preference map, Endangered Flora Habitat availability/preference
map, <FONT face=Arial size=2>LISS Band 1-4 spectral data maps (for 31-03-01),
</FONT>Lat-long reference map.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><U>13 Derived Spatial
Data:</U></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Slope map, Aspect map, Digital Elevation map,
Forest density maps, NDVI map, Land development unit map, Water body mask
map, District mask map, Watershed priorities for soil conservation map, Runoff
potential map, Land irrigability map, Habitation mask map.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><U>8 Primary Non-spatial
Data:</U></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Demography, Occupation structure, Education
facilities, Medical Facilities, Communication facilities, Landuse data, Power
availability data, Water availability data.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV>
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