This work is an effort to share GIS awareness, Digitization and map making of the forest cover of Karnataka between 2001 and 2011. GIS Introduction Component Application About the state: Karnataka Introduction History Geography Economy Administrative Division Demography Education Transport Tourism Geo-referencing and Digitization Data Joining & Map Making Software used: QGIS 2.0.1

1. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
What is GIS?
A geographic information system or geospatial information system(GIS) is a tool to capture, store, check,
manipulate, analyze, manage, and display a spatial or geographic data. In other words, GIS is a computer
system for capturing, storing, checking and presenting data related to positions on earth’s surface.
GIS can show many kinds of data on one map. This enable people to see, analyze and understand patterns
and relationships better. GIS allows multiple layers of information to be displayed on a single map. Once
all the desired data have been entered into a GIS system, they can be combined to produce a variety of
individual maps, depending on which data layers are included.
GIS can relate unrelated information by using location as the key index variable. Locations or extents in
the earth-space-time may be recorded as dates/times of occurrences, and x, y and z coordinates
representing, latitude, longitude and elevation. All Earth-based spatio-temporal location and extent
references should ideally be relatable to one another and ultimately to a ‘real’ physical location or extent.
This key characteristic of GIS has begun to open new avenues of scientific inquiry.
Components of GIS:
The working of GIS integrated five key components:
1.Hardware:
Hardware is the computer on which a GIS operates. Today GIS software runs on a wide range of
hardware types, from centralized computer servers to desktop. Computers used in stand-alone or
network configurations.
2.Software:
GIS software provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyze, and display geographic
information. GIS softwares in use are Q-GIS, MapInfo, ArcGIS, AutoCAD Map, etc. the software
available can be said to be application specific. When the low-cost GIS work is to be carried out
desktop Quantum GIS is the suitable option.
3.Data:
Geographic data and related tabular data can be collected in-house or purchased from a commercial
data provider. The digital map forms the basic data input for GIS. Tabular data related to the map
objects can also be attached to the digital data.
4.People/Users:
GIS technology is of limited value without the people who manage the system and develop plans for
applying it to real world problems. GIS users range from technical specialists who design and maintain
the system to those who use it to help them perform everyday work.
5.Method:
A successful GIS operates according to a well-designed plan and business rules, which are the models
and operating unique to each organization.

2. QGIS SOFTWARE
QGIS (previously known as Quantum GIS) is a cross-
platform free and open-source desktop geographic
information system (GIS) application that provides data
viewing, editing, and analysis.
QGIS allows users to analyze and edit spatial information, in
addition to export graphical maps. QGIS supports
both raster and vector layers; vector data is stored as either
point, line, or polygon features. Multiple formats of raster
images are supported, and the software
can georeference images.
QGIS or Quantum GIS is a desktop geographic information system(GIS) product initially developed by
Gary Sherman.
APPLICATION OF GIS
1. GIS in Mapping:
Mapping is a central function of Geographic Information System,
which provides a visual interpretation of data. GIS store data in
database and then represent it visually in a Mapped format. People
from different professions use Map to communicate. It is not necessary
to be a skilled cartographer to create Maps. Google Map, Bing Map,
Yahoo Map are the best example for web based GIS Mapping solution.
2. Telecom and Network services:
GIS can be a great planning and decision-making tool for
telecom industries. GIS data enables wireless
telecommunication organizations to incorporate
geographic data in to the complex network design,
planning, optimization, maintenance and activities. This
technology allows telecom to enhance a variety of application
like engineering application, customer relationship management
and location based services.
3. Accident Analysis and Hot Spot Analysis:
GIS can be used as a key tool to minimize accident hazard on
roads, the existing road network has to be optimized and also the
road safety measures have to be improved. This can be achieved
by proper traffic management. By identifying the accident
locations, remedial measures can be planned by the district
administrations to minimize the accidents in different parts of the
world. Rerouting design is also very convenient using GIS.
4. Urban Planning:
GIS technology is used to analyze the urban growth and its
direction of expansion, and to find suitable sites for further urban
development. In order to identify the sites suitable for the urban
growth, certain factors have to consider which is: land should
have proper accessibility, land should be more or less flat, land
should be vacant or having low usage value presently and
it should have good supply of water.

3. 5. Transportation Planning:
GIS can be used in managing transportation and logistical
problems. If transport department is planning for a new railway
or a road route then this can be performed by adding
environmental and topographical data into the GIS platform.
This will easily output the best route for the transportation
based on the criteria like flattest route, least damage to habitats
and least disturbance from local people. GIS can also help in
monitoring rail systems and road conditions.
6. Environmental Impact Analysis:
EIA is an important policy initiative to conserve natural
resources and environment. Many human activities produce
potential adverse environmental effects which include the
construction and operation of highways, rail, roads, pipelines,
airports, radioactive waste disposal and more. Environmental
impact statements are usually required to contain specific
information on the magnitude and characteristics of
environmental impact. The EIA can be carried out efficiently by
the help of GIS, by integrating various GIS layers assessment of
natural features can be performed.
7. Agricultural Applications:
GIS can be used to create more effective and
efficient farming techniques. It can also analyse
soil data and to determine: what are the best crops
to plant? where they should go? How to maintain
nutrition levels to best benefit crop to plant? It is
fully integrated and widely accepted for helping
government agencies to manage programs that
support farmers and protect the environment. This
could increase food production in different parts of
the world so the world food crisis could be avoided.
8. Disaster Management and Mitigation:
Today well-developed GIS systems are used to protect the
environment. It has become an integrated, well developed and
successful tool in disaster management and mitigation. GIS
can help with risk management and analysis by displaying
which areas are likely to be prone to natural or man-made
disasters. When such disasters are identified, preventive
measures can be developed.
9. Landslide Hazard Zonation using GIS:
Landslide hazard zonation is the process of ranking different
parts of an area according to the degrees of actual or potential
hazard from landslides. The evaluation of landslide hazard is a
complex task. It has become possible to efficiently collect,
manipulate and integrate a variety of spatial data such as
geological, structural, surface cover and slope characteristics of
an area, which can be used for hazard zonation. The entire
above said layer can well integrate using GIS and weighted
analysis is also helpful to find Landslide prone area. By the
help of GIS, we can do risk assessment and can reduce the

4. losses of life and property.
10. Determine land use/land cover changes:
Land cover means the feature that is covering the barren surface.
Land use means the area in the surface utilized for particular use.
The role of GIS technology in land use and land cover
applications is that we can determine land use/land cover changes
in the different areas. Also it can detect and estimate the changes
in the land use/ land cover pattern within time. It enables to find
out sudden changes in land use and land cover either by natural
forces or by other activities like deforestation.
11. Navigation (routing and scheduling):
Web-based navigation Maps encourage safe navigation in waterway. Ferry paths and shipping routes
are identified for the better routing. ArcGIS supports safe
navigation system and provides accurate topographic and
hydrographic data. Recently DNR, s Coastal Resources
Division began the task of locating, documenting, and
cataloguing these no historic wrecks with GIS. This division
is providing public information that makes citizens awareness
of these vessel locations through web Map. The web Map will
be regularly updated to keep the boating public informed of
these coastal hazards to minimize risk of collision and injury.
12. Flood damage estimation:
GIS helps to document the need for federal disaster relief funds,
when appropriate and can be utilized by insurance agencies to assist
in assessing monetary value of property loss. A local government
need to Map flooding risk areas for evaluate the flood potential level
in the surrounding area. The damage can be well estimate and can
be shown using digital Maps.
13. Natural Resources Management:
By the help of GIS technology, the agricultural, water and forest
resources can be well maintaining and manage. Foresters can
easily monitor forest condition. Agricultural land includes
managing crop yield, monitoring crop rotation, and more. Water
is one of the most essential constituents of the environment. GIS
is used to analyse geographic distribution of water resources.
They are interrelated, i.e. forest cover reduces the storm water
runoff and tree canopy stores approximately 215,000 tons
carbon. GIS is also used in afforestation.
14. GIS Solutions in Banking Sector:
Today rapid development occurs in the banking sector. So it has
become more market driven and market responsive. The success
of this sector largely depends on the ability of a bank to provide
customer and market driven services. GIS plays an important
role providing planning, organizing and decision making.

5. ABOUT THE STATE
Introduction
Karnataka is a state in southwest India with
Arabian Sea coastlines. It was formed on 1
November 1956, with the passage of
the States Reorganisation Act. Originally
known as the State of Mysore, it was
renamed Karnataka in 1973. The capital,
Bengaluru, is a high-tech hub known for its
shopping and nightlife. To the southwest,
Mysore is home to lavish temples including
Mysore Palace, former seat of the region’s
maharajas. Hampi, once the medieval
Vijayanagara empire’s capital, contains
ruins of Hindu temples, elephant stables and
a stone chariot. The state covers an area of
191,976 square km. or 5.83 percent of the
total geographical area of India. It is
the seventh largest Indian state by area.
With 61,130,704 inhabitants at the 2011
census, Karnataka is the eighth largest state
by population, comprising
30 districts. Kannada, one of the classical languages of India, is the most widely spoken and official
language of the state. The two main river systems draining the state are the Krishna and the Kaveri along
with their tributaries. Most of these rivers flow out of Karnataka eastward, reaching the sea at the Bay of
Bengal.
History:
Karnataka's pre-history goes back to a paleolithic hand-axe. There has been evidence found of connection
between the state and the legendary Indus Valley Civilisation. The state has been part of the great
kingdoms ruled by the eminent Nandas, Mauryas, Satvahanas, Rashtrakutas, Cholas, Rayas, Nizams,
Marathas, owing its rich and diverse culture to. After India's independence, the
Maharaja, Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, allowed his kingdom's accession to India. In 1950, Mysore
became an Indian, following the long-standing demand of the Ekikarana Movement, Kodagu- and
Kannada-speaking regions from the adjoining states of Madras, Hyderabad and Bombay were
incorporated into the Mysore state, under the States Reorganization Act of 1956. The thus expanded state
was renamed Karnataka, seventeen years later, in 1973.
Geography:
The bulk of the state is in the Bayaluseeme region, the northern part of which is the second-largest arid
region in India. The state has three principal geographical zones- The Karavali (coastal region), The
hilly Malenadu (the Western Ghats), The Bayaluseeme region (Deccan plateau). Meteorologically, it is
divided into three zones - coastal, north interior and south interior. The highest point in Karnataka is
the Mullayanagiri hills (1,929 m.) in Chickmagalur district. Some of the important rivers in Karnataka
are Kaveri, Tungabhadra, Krishna, Malaprabha and the Sharavathi. A large number of dams and
reservoirs are constructed across these rivers which richly add to the irrigation and hydel power
generation capacities of the state. Karnataka experiences four seasons. The highest recorded temperature
was 45.6 °C at Raichur and the lowest recorded temperature was 2.8 °C at Bidar. About 38,724 km2
(i.e.

6. 20% of the state's geographic area) is covered by forests. The forests are classified as reserved, protected,
unclosed, village and private forests.
Economy:
Karnataka had an estimated GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) of about US$115.86 billion in the 2014–15 fiscal
year. The state registered a GSDP growth rate of 7% for the year 2014–2015. Karnataka's contribution to India's GDP in
the year 2014–15 was 7.54%. Nearly 56% of the workforce in Karnataka is engaged in agriculture and related activities.
A total of 12.31 million hectares of land, or 64.6% of the state's total area, is cultivated. Karnataka is the manufacturing
hub for some of the largest public sector industries in India and many of India's premier science and technology research
centres. Karnataka also leads the nation in biotechnology. A majority of the silk industry in India is headquartered in
Karnataka. Moreover, the state capital, Bangalore, the sobriquet Silicon Valley of India.
Administrative Division:
At present there are 30 districts divided in to 4 administrative divisions, 270 towns and 29406 villages.
Districts are administered by a District Collector, and divisions are administered by Divisional
Commissioners.
Demographics:
According to the 2011 census of India, the total population of Karnataka was 61,095,297 of which
30,966,657 (50.7%) were male and 30,128,640 (49.3%) were female, or 1000 males for every 973
females. This represents a 15.60% increase over the population in 2001. The population density was 319
per km2
and 38.67% of the people lived in urban areas. Kannada is the official language of Karnataka and
spoken as a native language by about 66.26% of the people as of 2001.
Education:
As per the 2011 census, Karnataka had a literacy rate of 75.60%, with 82.85% of males and 68.13% of females in the
state being literate. The state is home to some of the premier educational and research institutions of India. In March
2006, Karnataka had 54,529 primary schools with 252,875 teachers and 8.495 million students, and 9498 secondary
schools with 92,287 teachers and 1.384 million students. To maximize attendance in schools, the Karnataka Government
has launched a midday meal scheme in government and aided schools in which free lunch is provided to the students.
There are 481 degree colleges affiliated with one of the universities in the state. There are 186 engineering, 39 medical
and 41 dental colleges in the state.
Transport:
Air transport in Karnataka, as in the rest of the country, is still a fledgling but fast expanding sector. Karnataka has a
railway network with a total length of approximately 3,089 kilometres. Karnataka has 11 ports, including the New
Mangalore Port, a major port and ten minor ports, of which three were operational in 2012. The total lengths of National
Highways and state highways in Karnataka are 3,973 and 9,829 kilometers respectively. The KSRTC, the state public
transport corporation, transports an average of 2.2 million passengers daily and employs about 25,000 people
Tourism:
By the virtue of its varied geography and long history, Karnataka hosts numerous spots of interest for tourists. There is
an array of ancient sculptured temples, modern cities, scenic hill ranges, forests and beaches. Karnataka has been ranked
as the fourth most popular destination for tourism among the states of India. Karnataka has the second highest number of
nationally protected monuments in India. Karnataka has 25 wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks. Recently
Karnataka has emerged as a hot spot for health care tourism. Karnataka has the highest number of approved health
systems and alternative therapies in India.

7. GEOREFERENCING & DIGITIZATION
To georeference means to associate something with locations in physical space. The term is commonly
used to describe the process of associating a physical map or Rater image of a map with spatial locations.
Georeferencing may be applied to any kind of object or structure that can be related to a geographical
location such as points of interest, roads, places, bridges or buildings. Geographic locations are most
commonly represented using a coordinate reference system, which in turn can be related to a geodetic
reference system such as WGS 84. Examples include establishing the correct position of an aerial
photograph within a map or finding the geographical coordinates of a place name or street address
(geocoding). Georeferencing simply means assigning map coordinates of an image. It usually means
resembling of pixels to extrapolate the value for new pixels. In other words, it is the assigning of
coordinates of an absolute geographic reference system to a geographic feature.
Ground Control Points (GCPs):
On of various locations on a paper or digital map that has known coordinates and is used to transform
another dataset-spatially coincident but in a different coordinate system of the control point. Control
points are used in digitizing data from paper maps, in Georeferencing both raster and vector data, and in
performing spatial adjustment operations such as rubber sheeting.
Steps for Georeferencing:
Step I: Open Georeferencing tool
• Save a scanned map with latitudes and longitudes in your computer.
• Open the georeference tool, Raster  Georeferencer  Georeferencer.
Step II: Adding raster image
• To add, go to File  Open Raster Now browse the image from your computer.

8. Step III: Select Coordinate Reference System
• After browsing the image, new window will pop up, Select WGS 84 with EPSG:4326
Coordinate Reference System.
Step IV: Assigning coordinates
• To assign coordinates, we need to use the map grid on the image. Now click on
‘Add Point’ button to add these coordinates. Once selected, click at the intersection
of the grid and fill the values. (X= 750
40” Y= 160
50”)

9. • After filling up the values, Click ‘OK’.
• Add at least 7 points on the image to georeference it successfully.
• Now, Save GCP points from the ‘File Menu’.
Step V: Check error (residual)
• After saving the GCP points, go to view  Panel  GCP table.
• In the GCP Table, see values in the residual row which should be less the one.
Step VI: Transformation Settings
• After checking error, go to Setting  Transformation settings.

10. • Set Transformation type: Polynomial 2
Resampling method: Nearest neighbor
Output raster: Browse the place where you want to save georeferenced image.
Check boxes: Use 0 for transparency when needed
Load in QGIS when done
• Click ‘OK’
After Georeferencing, the map will look like this:

11. Digitization is the process of converting geographic features on a paper map into digital format. The x, y
coordinates of point, line and polygon features are recorded and stored as the spatial data.
The features attributed are also recorded during the digitizing process. It is the most common and labour
intensive method to create a spatial database. The method is used specially when existing maps are
available as the source of data. Coordinates of point features, line features or polygon features are
recorded by manually pointing and tracing using a digitized table and cursor. The cursor position is
accurately measured by the device in order to generate coordinate data in digital form.
Point:
A point in GIS is represented by one pair of coordinates (x & y). It is considered as dimension-less
object. Most of the times a point represents location of a feature (like cities, well, villages etc.).
Line:
A line or arc contains at least two pair of coordinates. In other words, a line should connect minimum
two points. Start and end points of a line are referred as nodes while points on curves are referred as
vertices. Points at intersections are also called as nodes. Roads, railway tracks, streams etc. are generally
represented by line.
Polygon:
In simple terms, polygon is a closed line with area. It takes minimum three pairs of coordinates to
represent an area or polygon. Extent of cities, forests, land use etc. is represented by polygon. The feature
attributes are also recorded during the digitizing process. It is the most common and labor-intensive
method to create a spatial database.
Types of Digitization in GIS:
There are several types of digitizing methods. Manual digitizing involves tracing geographic features
from an external digitizing tablet using a puck (a type of mouse specialized for tracing and capturing
geographic features from the tablet). Heads up digitizing (also referred to as on-screen digitizing) is the
method of tracing geographic features from another dataset (usually an aerial, satellite image, or scanned
image of a map) directly on the computer screen. Automated digitizing involves using image processing
software that contains pattern recognition technology to generated vectors.
Types of Digitization Errors in GIS:
Since most common methods of digitizing involve the interpretation of geographic features via the
human hand, there are several types of errors that can occur during the course of capturing the data. The
type of error that occurs when the feature is not captured properly is called a positional error, as opposed
to attribute errors where information about the feature capture is inaccurate or false. These positional
error types are outlined below, and a visualization of the different methods is shown at the bottom of this
section.
During the digitizing process, vectors are connected to other lines by a node, which marks the point of
intersection. Vertices are defining points along the shape of an unbroken line. All lines have a starting
point known as a starting node and an ending node. If the line is not a straight line, then any bends and
curves on that line are defined by vertices (vertex for a singular bend). Any intersection of two lines is
denoted by node at the point of the intersection.
Steps for Digitization:
Step I: Adding a New shapefile layer
• Now we have Georeferenced image on the main window.
• Now go to ‘Layers’ ‘New’ ‘New Shapefile Layer’ (Ctrl+ Shift + N).
• A new window will pop up. Choose the shape type (Point, Line or Polygon) you want to
create.
• Enter the attribute’s name in the ‘Name’ Textfield. For example: Name= ‘District Name’

12. • Select the type of data you are going to add under the ‘District Name’ field. As you will write
the name of districts, so ‘text data’ would be appropriate. Whereas ‘Decimal’ for literacy rate
and ‘Whole number’ for Sex ratio.
• Set the width accordingly and click ‘Add to attributes list’.
• Click ‘OK’.
• Again, New window will open, save the file in your computer with a name which will appear
in the ‘layers’ panel. For Example: District Polygons.
• Now this file will appear in the ‘layers’ panel.
For Example: District
After adding the new shapefile, it appeared in the layers panel with Name we saved it.

13. Step II: Start Digitizing
• Select the shapefile layer from ‘Layers’ panel you created (District).
• Click on the Toggle editing Icon to unable editing.
• Click on the Add Feature Icon, to activate digitization cursor.
• Now start pinning points by left-clicking on the boundary of the districts and cover the whole
area. After completion of this, right-click on the map and give the Name and unique ID to the
district.
• Enabling Snapping options to remove the errors.
o Go to settings  Click on ‘Snapping options’.
o A new window will pop up.

14. ✓ Check the layer’s box you want to snap in.
✓ Set the mode to ‘to vertex and segment’
✓ Set tolerance to ‘8.00’
✓ Set units to ‘Pixels’.
After doing this setting, when you move your cursor near any segment or vertex it will turn in to pink
color, clicking there will snap the segment or vertex.
• Now, digitize all the districts one by one and you will get a fully digitized map in the end.
After digitizing the whole Map.

15. Turn off the Toggle editing Icon and uncheck the raster image. After that it will look like
below along with the attribute table of districts.

16. DATA JOINING & MAP MAKING
Step 1: Enter data
• To create a map, we need to enter some data related to that particular map. We can do this
manually entering the data in the attribute table. In the case, where we have a lot of data we
can use Microsoft Excel sheet.
• To enter data, go to MS Excel  Enter the data you want to show on the map.
• Here we have made two columns for showing comparison of data of two different years ie.
Forest Cover (2001) and Forest cover (2011)
Step 2: Saving the data in Comma Delimited Format (.csv)
• After all the data have been entered, go to File Save As in the drop-down tray of
Format section, choose Comma Delimited (.csv)

17. Step 3: Adding the CSV file to the project.
• Go to Layer  Add Delimited Text Layer.
• Browse the .csv file in the tab appearing after the above step.

18. Step 3: Joining the CSV file to the project
• After the above steps, the data layer would appear in the layer box.
• Go to Properties Joins . Browse the file and set the fields as shown.
Step 4: Created Choropleth Map
• To create a choropleth map, just double click on the layers panel to go to Properties
• Click on Style tab  Change Single symbol to Graduated
• Select Column from the drop-down menu, which we wanted to create choropleth map of.
• Selected the number of classes we wanted to create.
• Change the shade if you want to.
• Change Mode from ‘Equal intervals’ to ‘Equal Counts’.
• Now click ‘OK’.

19. After applying all new settings, the map will look like below.
Step 5: Labelling the Map:
• Right-click on the layer from ‘layers’ panel  Open attribute table  Check all polygons
are named correctly.
• Now Right-click on the layer  click on properties.
• A new window will open  Go to Labels  Check ‘Label this layer with’ box and select
‘Name’ if you want to label this with this layer.
• Now click ‘OK’ after setting up all.

20. Map after labelling
Step: 6 Designing the layout of the map using Print Composer:
• When you are done with the data entry and the map labelling, it is time to print the map.
• To print the map, press Ctrl+P, a new window will open to ask to save the file.
After clicking the ‘OK’, a new window will open called Print Composer. Which is shown below. After
opening up of the Print Composer, we have to add Map, Labels, Legends, Scalebar, and compass:

21. 1. Added map:
To add the map again, go to layout  select ‘add map’  then create a rectangle in which there
would be the map we created and adjust accordingly.
2. Add labels:
To add label  Go to layout  select ‘add label’  draw a rectangle shape again  it will
show label  change its font from the item properties.

22. 3. Added Compass:
You can either draw an arrow or insert a compass.
To added an arrow, go to layout  select ‘add arrow’  you can draw an arrow using the
cursor.
4. Added legends:
To add legend, go to ‘Layout’ again  select ‘add legend’  now click on the Composer,
legend would appear on the screen.

23. 5. Added scalebar:
• To add a scalebar  go to ‘Layout’  select ‘add scalebar’  click on the composer, a
scale would appear.
• But it would not be appropriate, to correct it  go to item properties and set units from 0
to 1.
Map after arranging all the components:
Now export the map as an Image using export image Icon in the Menu bar.

24. FINAL MAPS