Social maps and geographical transects - some recent experiences in Orissa, India

This paper describes some innovations to social mapping and geographical transects which emerged during field work in Orissa, India. One innovation resolved the difficulty of mapping a large village of more than 500 households by dividing the settlement into clusters of households. Each cluster was mapped separately and finally amalgamated to provide an overall picture. Another suggestion addresses concerns that transects, which only cover a limited land area, may overlook areas of land that are highly significant. A way of resolving this would be to carry out an 'investigative transect' once different land types had been identified on a natural resource map of the village and surrounding area.