Gis aided demographic analysis of sub-mountain area of indian punjab-A case study

The present study is an attempt to understand the huge demographic data using GIS at village level. Two blocks from the sub-mountain Siwalik region of Punjabviz. Mahalpur and Garhshankar were selected. Various thematic maps were prepared using this technique. The inequality of distribution between various parameters has been studied using Lorenz curve and Ginni coefficient. Both Mahalpur and Garhshankar blocks are moderately populated blocks with highest population in south western parts. Population density is highest in the areas adjacent to the Garhshankar and Mahalpur towns. Schedule caste population is well distributed in both the blocks. The average sex ratio of the study area is 910 females per thousand males which shows that it is not a female deficit area. There are various villages in these blocks which have sex ratio more than 1000 females per thousand males, which is quite a good sign for these blocks. The literacy rate of the study area is nearly 57 per cent, which is quite low as compared to district Hoshiarpur having 81.4 per cent. Comparatively, Mahalpur block has more literate persons as compared to Garhshankar block. Lorenz curve shows that literate persons are quite evenly distributed. NRI families were around 10 per cent of the total number of families out of which 8 per cent are in Mahalpur block while remaining 2 per cent are in Garhshankar block. The study brings out important inferences at the village level by way of pinpointing the exact location of hot spots where action is needed by the planners and the administration.