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February 2001
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Recommendations of Map India 2001
MAP INDIA 2001 was the 4th Annual International Conference and Exhibition on GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing, held in New Delhi by Centre for Spatial Database Management & Solution (CSDMS). The aim of the conference was to showcase India's capabilities and achievements in the field of Geographic Information Sciences. The conference received overwhelming response from not only the industry but also from the government sector and educational institutes. Almost a thousand delegates, from various institutes, organisations, private firms participated in the conference. There were also many foreign delegates participating who felt that the growth of GIS industry in Asia has tremendous potential and that in a short space of time India will be one of the fore runners of this industry.
Spanning to three days from 7-9 February the conference had almost 16 sessions on various applications of GIS in different walks of life. There was a detailed discussion on 'The Future of GIS in India' and recommendations made on various issues are as follows:
Mobile Mapping and Internet
Mobile mapping and Internet have emerged as a new means for geographic information delivery to the masses. It is expected to bring dramatic changes in the speed and delivery of geographic information. The government should look into how it can grab this opportunity to deliver their data in this mode.
The technology front ends for Internet GIS - encompassing database layers, access layers and user front end should be standardised with emphasis on GIS interoperability.
Education
There is an urgent need to discuss and implement a National GIS Education policy, which addresses following issues at various stages of education from school to university:
Curriculum
Infrastructure
Distance Learning
Accreditation
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Permanent GPS infrastructure should be deployed progressively at all over the country for making mobile mapping a reality. This will also facilitate disaster management related applications.
The present custom duty on GPS is too high. GPS should be put in the Open General List of imports.
Industry should strive to create Indian case studies of GPS applications and also involving more of academic institutions
High Resolution Imaging
High cost imagery and the processing tools should come down to increase the usage in many areas.
Disaster Management
Increase the usage of GIS and Remote Sensing technology for pre and post disaster management in the country
Health
Need for off-the-shelf geographic data products, which could readily be used by Health professionals for operational applications.
Transportation
Use of GPS in vehicle navigation should be promoted. The case study as in Bangalore may be promoted as a model everywhere.
Rural Development
Map India 2001 recommends active technological intervention of GIS and related technologies in updating the LIS records and improving the quality of rural life to bridge the urban rural divide.
Formation of a National Geo (spatial) Data Infrastructure. Map India endorses the NG(S)DI initiative of the government. It recommends speedy implementation of the NG(S)DI.
Urge government to position a pragmatic map policy for NSDI.
Industry
Government should consider fiscal incentives and benefits for industries associated with GIS and Remote Sensing and associated technologies
IMPLEMENTATION
CSDMS in association with the following organisations will monitor the progress of Map India 2001 recommendations.
- Department of Space (DOS)
- Department of Science & Technology (DST)
- Ministry of Information and Technology (MIT)
- University Grant Commission (UGC)
- Central Board of Excise and Customs
- Department of Revenue
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Transport
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Web site: www.csdms.org,www.mapindia.org
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