A vailability of data from the grass-root level is crucial for sustainable development. But vast amounts of data can more often than not confuse planners and may even result in poor decision-making. Recognising the need for a crystal clear presentation of relevant data, People’s Science Institute, a Dehradun-based research and development voluntary organisation, has developed a truly revolutionary GIS-based software application, christened as the village information system (VIS). It is extremely user-friendly and displays data from 1991 and 2001 census in the form of maps, tables and graphs to showcase information thematically at the village, district and state levels. Other databases like the National Education Survey, National Health Survey and National Agriculture Survey are being linked to it to help planners compare, mix and collate the varied data. The institute has developed a comprehensive demonstration model for the State of Uttarakhand and placed it in the public domain on the worldwide web (www.villageinformationsystem.org) with the active support of the National Resources Data Management System, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It is developing a similar system for the entire country, covering all the States.
VIS displays geo-referenced maps of any political boundary from the state to the village level. Accurate Census data covering about 200 parameters related to social welfare (including demography), infrastructure and natural resources are attached to each unit. The system allows analysis of all these parameters and their trends at all the levels. It can prepare thematic maps in response to a user’s queries presented in normal language. This allows for a rapid and visual grasp of the implications in terms of spatial variations. Such thematic maps help in making sound decisions.