Development of a Web-Based GIS Platform for Environmental Monitoring and Conservation of the Muringato Catchment

Despite the reliance of various economic sectors on a healthy environment, anthropogenic factors and climate change occurrences continue to degrade it. Monitoring and protecting the environment has thus become a major goal for various stakeholders. The development of web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms for geo-visualizing environmental disturbance incidences has been proposed as one of the tools for environmental monitoring because of their easy operability, accessibility and ability to present data. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop a web-based GIS platform for geo-visualizing the reported environmental incidences in near real time. The focus was the Muringato water resource users’ association (WRUA) members whose efforts are geared towards curbing illegal water abstractions. The development of the web-based GIS platform utilized Django and GeoDjango frameworks. The results were a web-based GIS platform that was able to geo-visualize the reported incidences in near-real time thereby enabling stakeholders monitor the environment.