Steps on making a KML/KMZ

If there is no existing eBird hotspot or iNaturalist / India Biodiversity Portal project then follow these steps to create a campus boundary and share it with us as a KML file:

Step by step guide to making a KML of the campus boundary:

Step 1 - Open Google My Maps
Go to mymaps.google.com in your browser. Sign in with your Google account if prompted. Click + Create a new map.

Step 2 - Find your campus
In the search bar at the top of the map, type the name of your college or its address and press Enter. The map will zoom to that location. Click Add to map if a result card appears - but you don't have to; this is just to centre the map.

Step 3 - Switch to satellite view
In the bottom left corner, click on the box that says Map or Satellite and switch to Satellite. This makes it much easier to trace the actual boundary of your campus accurately.

Step 4 - Draw the campus boundary

  1. In the toolbar just below the search bar, look for the small icons - you'll see a hand (pan), a marker (add point), a line, and a shape/polygon tool (looks like a pentagon or triangle). Click the polygon/shape tool.
  2. Click once on the map to place your first point at a corner of your campus boundary - ideally start at a recognisable landmark like a gate or a building corner.
  3. Continue clicking around the perimeter of your campus, placing points along the boundary. Follow walls, fences, or roads that define the edge of your campus.
  4. For curves or rounded edges, place points closer together to follow the curve smoothly.
  5. To close and finish the shape, click back on your very first point. The polygon will close and fill with a colour.

Step 5 - Name and style the boundary
A dialog box will appear asking for a name. Type something like Campus Boundary or your college name. You can also add a description if you like. Click Save.
To change the colour or line style, click the paint bucket icon in the dialog - useful if you want the boundary to be more visible.

Step 6 - Check and adjust
After drawing, you can click on any point along the boundary to drag it and adjust the shape. Zoom in to check that the boundary follows the actual edge of your campus accurately, especially near gates and roads.

Step 7 - Name your map
In the top left, click where it says Untitled map and give your map a proper name, such as XYZ College - Campus Boundary. Click Save.

Step 8 - Export as KML

  1. Next to your map name in the left panel, click the three dots (⋮) menu.
  2. Select Export to KML/KMZ.
  3. In the dialog that appears, make sure to tick the checkbox that says Export as KML instead of KMZ.
  4. Click Download.

Your KML file will download to your computer, named after your map.