Participatory Geographic Information System for the Upper Mardi Watershed Management

摘要

This paper describes the application of Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS) tools and approaches to make sustainable development of watershed using Indigenous Knowledge (IK) meaningfully in upper watershed of Mardi, Nepal. Participation by the local community in development initiatives is critical for achieving sound natural resource management to utilize the IK systems. The paper aims at making sustainable development management of upper watershed of Mardi by using PGIS tool and IK that integrate traditional participatory mapping methods directly with Arc GIS and Arc Pad and evaluate potential applications of new digital pen technology. The practice of PGIS in this setting in Nepal has encouraged broad-based participation at community levels, improved intra community communication and provided opportunities for greater social inclusion in development processes. The use of PGLS focuses on methods of knowledge 'capture', representation and communication through the graphic representation of both past and present natural resources from focus group discussion and participatory mapping process. The information gathered is then transferred into a Geographic Information System, for additional analyses, sharing with scientists and onwards transmission to decision makers and other users in a form which they recognize, can understand and reproduce. The main premise of this paper is related to the approach of integrating indigenous knowledge with Participatory Geographic Information Systems as a way of promoting participatory natural resource and watershed management of upper Mardi Watershed and giving opportunity to the local community to participate in developmental programs and decision-making both as contributors and 5 users of knowledge.