We have produced a number of booklets and manuals over the years. These are used for our training programmes and are released under the Free Documentation License. You are free to copy, distribute and modify these booklets as per the terms of the license. Click on the cover page to download the document (pdf format).
An Introduction to Maps
By Anupama Pai
Tamil Translation by Dr.Vasanthakumaran and Mr.Kurinjivendan
This booklet series, published in February 2007 introduces the concepts of maps and GIS. The series present a brief history of mapping, introduction to field survey methods and GIS. The booklets accompany GIS workshops targeted at high school students. This series was produced as part of the NCSTC (DST) supported project entitled "Popularisation of GIS at the high school level". Tamil versions of the booklets are available on request.
The Different Dimensions of Where
By Anupama Pai
Tamil Translation by Dr.Veeramurugan
Making Maps with Map Maker
by R.S.Bhalla, Neil Pelkey and Srinivas.V
Tamil Translation by Saravanan and Shanthi
Kalivelli Wetlands
by Gopinath.S and Srinivas.V
The Kalivelli lake is a centre of focus of FERAL's research and documentation work. One of the largest lakes in Southern India, Kalivelli is a unique and diverse ecosystem with an estuarine portion to its North. It is connected to the Bay of Bengal via this "neck". The lake exhibits a salinity gradient depending on season and proximity to its mouth. Although highly disturbed, the lake provides a wintering refuge to over 60,000 birds of more than a 100 species. 21 villages bordering the lake depend on it for ground water recharge, fodder, reeds and fish. Conserving it is a top priority. This illustrated booklet provides an overview of the Kalivelli lake and its inhabitants and the issues they are confronted with.
Field Methods in Participatory GIS
by R.S.Bhalla and Benjamin Larroquette
This is a field guide to participatory GIS written in a simple illustrated style. The booklet is written for organisations who wish to use quantitative techniques while retaining a participatory framework for field level implementation and planning. It covers techniques such as street mapping, elevation surveys and ties them into a quantitative GIS framework. Real life applications are used the illustrate the techniques covered in the booklet.
Simple tips for improving yield
by Dhandapani S
Agriculture is the predominant occupation in India. 70 percent of its population is either directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. Though there is no dearth of innovations in agricultural technology, yet very few farmers get to use them. One of the reasons for this gap is the lack of awareness amongst farmers. Over the last five years, having worked on issues related to water management, farming practices and through close interactions with the farmers, FERAL has been able to assess the current status of agriculture and farmers in the Vanur and Marakkanam Blocks of Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. The chief crops in this area are paddy and groundnut. The baseline information collected from farmers on these crops includes costs of cultivation and total expenditure, productivity, awareness of farming practices, fertilizer management and crop protection mechanisms and their associated problems. This booklet is a compilation of information and experiences and provides practical information to farmers. It is also meant to generate awareness amongst farmers. The Tamil version of this booklet can be downloaded here.
Participatory Assessments: A tool for Community Based Organisations
by Gaspard Appavou and Anumapa Pai
In today's context Community Based Organisations (CBOs) have a major role to play in the rural development scenario. They are recognised as the key stakeholders and as such need should be involved in all stages of developmental activities. This handbook addresses the issue of ensuring sustainable CBOs. It draws on the learnings of FERAL during the five year period of an ICEF funded project. The Tamil version of the book can be downloaded from here.
The Village Resource Handbook
This book is a compilation of village level data collected through participatory GIS techniques. Participatory exercises were transferred to a GIS and overlayed with other spatial information, including satellite imageries, to be used for local level planning. The booklet showcases the power of participatory GIS as a tool for involving communities in a process of quantitative assessments of natural resources and their use and management.
