How relevant is geospatial sciences in the activities that you undertake?
Most of the management and planning decisions in forestry are spatial in nature as they are based on the map of a forest administrative unit. In order to take correct decisions on, say, which and how much area to harvest or regenerate, where to locate nurseries or timber depots, etc. require accurate forest maps. Forest Survey of India (FSI) assesses forest cover in the country on a two-year cycle using satellite data and prepares forest cover maps showing different classes of crop density. Earlier, using aerial photographs, FSI had prepared thematic maps of forest areas at 1:50,000 scale showing forest types, crop densities and several other land use classes. Maps showing changes in forest cover can also be prepared. Recently, FSI has initiated steps to map and assess trees outside forests using high resolution (PAN) satellite data. FSI is also in the process of establishing a NOAA-AVHRR based HRPT system to monitor forest fires. With application of GIS techniques, digital forest cover maps and field inventory data, FSI has developed a model for preparing forest working plans. FSI is also developing methodology for mapping mangroves and coral reefs using satellite based remote sensing data.

How much is FSI accustomed to the use of these latest techniques?
FSI is using state of the art techniques in assessment of forest cover. The latest assessment (2001) of forest cover was based on digital processing of satellite data (IRS 1C/1D; LISS III) where mapping was possible at 1:50,000 scale. The smallest tree canopy that could be mapped was as small as 1 ha. Earlier assessments were largely based on visual interpretation of FCC's at 1:250,000 scale where the cartographic limit was 25 ha. In FSI, procurement of most modern and powerful workstations and upgradation of older hardware is made on a regular basis and latest versions of DIP software is used. Training of technical staff in 'National Forest Data Management Centre' is carried out on a regular basis for their skill enhancement.

What role do you visualise of the private sector in the activities of FSI?
With availability of digital data on forest cover, there are immense opportunities for value addition. The State Forest Departments, Research Institutions, Universities, etc. who constitute the main users of digital forest cover data in the public sector, can engage specialist firms in the private sector to answer technical problems under mutually rewarding agreements. The cooperation can be in the fields of GIS applications, map printing, training, etc. Even after these public sector organisations build their own capacities to handle digital data, there is a large scope for public-private partnership in this domain.

What is your idea about 'data ownership' issues with regard to the coming days of a single window NSDI?
Spatial data belongs to the agency that generates that data. I feel the main issues concerning data ownership relate to the accountability for correctness and precision of data and the cost at which it can be distributed or sold. If the owner is government agency, spatial data is considered a "public property" because taxpayer's money has been used for the purpose, whereas, in case of private agency, it is considered an "intellectual property". Spatial information is usually very expensive to collect, maintain and update. Within NSDI framework, the public sector should disseminate or sell its data at "marginal cost" which is generally quite low. In case of private agencies, spatial data becomes a source of business opportunity and it may have to be sold at the "average cost". The buyers or users of public data should be free to add value to it and convert it into private data. However, the source of original data must always be acknowledged.

What are the key issues for the growth of geomatics in the country?
In one of the major initiatives, Department of Space (DOS) has initiated Disaster Management Support Programme (DMSP), wherein a Decision Support Centre (DSC) would be set up at NRSA. It is expected to be a single-window space-based information provider for supporting operational disaster management activities. Since 2000, NRSA has also opened up its aerial survey facility for users outside India on a commercial basis. It is also equipping with an Airborne Laser Terrain Mapping instrument (ALTM). Initiation of Natural Resources Census (NR-Census) and Large Scale Mapping (LSM) are two new programmes, among a host of other application areas. Availability of data from IRS-P6 with enhanced capability should open a vista of new applications.

How easy or difficult is to acquire a high-resolution imagery for a private sector applicant? What is the NRSA policy in this regard?
The key issues facing the geomatics community are: (i) unreasonable restrictions on the maps and digital spatial data, (ii) availability of accurate and up-to-date spatial data in standard format, (iii) straightforward access and dissemination of data, (iv) global cooperation in sharing spatial data, (v) capacity building of workforce in the data generating agencies. In addition, there is an urgent need to sensitise various government user agensies to these available technologies and spatial databases.