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Abstract
National Geographic Information Infrastructure (NGII) in Nepal: Direction and Experience
Nama Raj Budhathoki
Department of Land Information and Archives, Kathmandu, Nepal
National Geographic Information Infrastructure Programme,
Survey Department, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977-1-4477615; Fax: +977-1-4477613
Email: namaraj@dolia.gov.np
R.R. Chhatkuli
National Geographic Information Infrastructure Programme
Survey Department, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977-1-4482903; Fax: +977-1-4482957
Email: ngiip@ccsl.com.np
Abstract
Geographic Information (GI) plays an important role in all walks of our life and it is said that the GI affects about 80% of the human decision-makings. It provides a better understanding of the spatial phenomenon that occurs around us. Such phenomenon however is complex in nature and requires a vast collection of interdisciplinary data- the integration of geographic data from different sources therefore is fundamental requirement to analyse and understand the problems that keeps relation with geography in one way or another. This implies that the data that are produced by an agency need to be shared with others, which can be viewed as unlocking of data to its potential users.
Geographic Information Infrastructure (GII) denotes the relevant base collection of technologies, policies and institutional arrangements that are designed towards increased GI sharing. It provides a basis for geographic information discovery, evaluation, and application for users and providers within all levels of the government, the commercial sector, the non-profit sector, academia and the general citizens. Such an infrastructure can be in place at different levels: enterprise, local, national, regional and global level. Last few years have witnessed that many national governments around the globe are engaged to develop GII at national level. His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, too, has initiated National Geographic Information Infrastructure Programme (NGIIP) since 2002. At this stage, there are six participating agencies: Department of Survey, Central Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Local Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Population and Environment, and Ministry of Health.
This paper will present the objective of Nepalese NGII with an overview of the activities currently being undertaken. The NGII architecture proposed by the project (and is currently under discussion) will be presented. Based on the recently conducted study, the strengths and weakness of each of the participating agencies- both as geospatial data provider as well as user- will be assessed. The strategic actions that NGIIP should focus to enable each of the agency to be its meaningful participant will be outlined. Finally, the experience gained so far in building NGII in Nepal will be shared.
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