GIS@development April 2004: LIS in Nepal: Efforts and strategic planning

LIS in Nepal: Efforts and strategic planning

EFFORTS IN BUILDING LIS AND INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION IN NEPAL
During the early 1990s, computers were quite new tools to Nepalese society and there was severe shortage of the skills required to operate these technologies. The computers were considered as the sufficient tool to solve the problems, and there were very few private companies engaged in the field of computer science. In the early 1993, His Majesty's Government started to introduce the information and communication technology (ICT) in the field of land administration in Nepal. The Ministry of Land Reform and Management (MLRM) undertook a number of initiative/activities to modernise land administration according to the needs of the Nepalese society. A unit called ‘Central Integrated Land Information System’ was established within the Department of Land Revenue under the MLRM. Table 1 compares 11 elements considered as important factors in building LIS in Nepal (DoLIA 2001, NPC 2000 and SwedeSurvey 2002). Realising that the past efforts have been ad-hoc and lack the structured planning and clear strategies, the council of ministers decided in the year of 2000 to establish a new dedicated department called Department of Land Information and Archive (DoLIA).

Table 1 Overview of efforts in building LIS during three different periods

	Initial period (1993-1995)	Intermediate period (1996-2000)	Current period after establishment of DoLIA (2001 to date)

Government Policy	Eighth national plan (1992-1997) envisioned introducing computerisation of land records.	Ninth national plan (1997-2002) has emphasised on the computerisation of land records and maps, and simplification of land administration procedure.	Tenth national plan (2002-2007) has given priority on the accessibility of land administration services through computer based system, and centrally developed archives of land records and cadastral maps with modern technology.
Scope of the task	To computerise non-spatial aspects of cadastral parcels.	To computerise both non-spatial and spatial aspects of cadastral parcels.	To build LIS by incorporating both non-spatial and spatial aspects of cadastral parcels. In addition, develop the central archives of land records.
Implementing agency	The then Department of Land Revenue of MLRM	Land Information System Project (LISP), within MLRM	DoLIA
Structured coordinating mechanism	None	None	Council of ministers (Cabinet) decision for steering committee with MLRM Minister's chairmanship.
Human resource recruitment and development	40 technical positions were created and recruited	No recruitment but trainings were organised for developing the skills and creating awareness at different levels	Department was established with 21 technical and 17 non-technical positions including the Director General.
Budget	Not available	0.565 Million (US dollar)	0.535 Million (US dollar)
Foreign assistance	None	SIDA's (1999-2002) support basically basically for the transfer of technology and experience	SIDA's support continued till 2002 March
Research and Studies	Computerisation of Land Recording System in Nepal by Spice Info Tech	· Detail study report on developing an integrated land information system in Nepal by Bhumichitra company · Design and Development of District Land Information System (DLIS) APROSC	Studies have been carried out by short-term Swedish consultants in certain aspects of LIS. DoLIA staff together with the local consultants has also carried few studies.
Software development	Although LIS was quite new technology, NCC developed application software with an aim of handling the non-spatial data.	Developed District Land Information System (DLIS) software	Refined the DLIS software and developed customised application to handle the spatial aspects of LIS
Data capture	Started in few districts with government staff	Just continued	Use of private companies
Concept of data sharing	None	Discussion started	Exists; developed an understanding with Katmandu Metropolitan city
Awareness and understanding	Not that high as it was just the beginning	Increased level of awareness	Significant understanding about the complexities in building and operating LIS

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