In News 
Using GIS to map Foot and Mouth Disease
ESRI (UK), the leading supplier of geographical information systems (GIS) software and services, reports a ten-fold increase in the monthly average of downloads of Map Explorer software from its web site at www.esriuk.com. Details of registrants show a significant increase in access by the farming and agricultural community for viewing and analysing the digital map data files being separately distributed by MAFF, which detail areas infected by Foot & Mouth. As Roy Laming, Marketing Director of ESRI (UK) states, "Use of Map Explorer as part of Foot & Mouth crisis management is the latest example of the growing interest and value of geographic information, GIS and location-based services. Clearly demonstrates that viewing addresses, postcodes, routes or regions in map form and being able to explorer the information related to these locations can improve access to and interpretation of otherwise meaningless data held in spreadsheets and databases"
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Hans Hess "Honorary Doctor" of the Ferris State University
The Ferris State University has awarded Hans Hess, CEO of Leica Geosystems, Heerbrugg, Switzerland, an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Business and Industry. Hans Hess is honoured for his support of surveying studies at the Ferries State University and for his contribution to the international surveying industry. The Ferries University (FSU) is reputed as one of the leading research and education places with programs for surveying engineers in the country. The field of surveying is increasingly integrating spatial information with informatics and automation. As CEO of Leica Geosystems, Hans Hess is pioneering this development and is actively pursuing the fusion of spatial data acquisition and visualisation technologies with information and communication technologies by the integration of companies with state-of-the-art technologies and know-how in this area.
Visit: www.leica-geosystem.com
Public Invited to View Launch of NASA's MAP Space Probe
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is currently selling a limited number of Launch Transportation Tickets for the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) mission, scheduled for launch on June 30 at 4 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. These tickets enable guests to experience the launch from a waterfront-viewing site, just six miles from the launch pad, on otherwise-restricted NASA property.
Visit: www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
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Asia News
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Massive effort to clean up the Yamuna
In its first serious effort to prevent the Yamuna from dying a slow death, the Delhi Government has decided to launch a ``shramdaan'' campaign from June 1 to 5 to rid the river of hyacinths, floating garbage and silt. To be undertaken on a 2.5 km stretch from the Raj Ghat side, the ``shramdaan''(voluntery service) would be extended to a 5-km stretch on the eastern side near the Garhi-Mandu pontoon bridge. While the Raj Ghat side is infested with garbage, carcasses of animals, filth, the east side is full of weeds and silt. All these have turned the river, once the Capital's lifeline, into a ``nullah''. The ``shramdaan'' will simultaneously begin at seven points, identified by the authorities, at 7 a.m. and will continue till 9 a.m.
All Delhi Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, celebrities, eminent citizens, senior bureaucrats, government employees, professionals, public representatives and anyone who cares for the Yamuna would pick up a shovel to rid the river of plastic bags, garbage and litter.
The Environment Secretary, Ms. Sindhushree Khullar, chairperson of the organising committee of the exercise, says the garbage removed from the river bank and river bed would be lifted by the MCD and deposited at landfill sites. The MCD and DDA have been involved in a big way and the former would be providing all equipment and raw material for this massive effort.
``The Yamuna does not belong to the Delhi Government. It belongs to the citizens of the Capital. It has been their identity for so many years. It is time they came forward to save the river from dying,'' says Ms. Dikshit.
Source: www.the-hindu.com
Cambodia flood mitigation and preparedness project
The floods of the year 2000 in Cambodia were characterized by many as the worst in 40 years, both in their intensity and their duration. Flooding in some communities started as early as July two months earlier than usual - and did not sub-side until the end of November. These devastating floods provided an opportunity to gauge the effectiveness of the CBFMP in reducing disaster vulnerability of Cambodia's communities. A post - flood assessment was conducted in February and March 2001 by Pact Cambodia to determine the effectiveness of the Red Cross Volunteers (RCVs) in mitigating floods in the targeted communities. Interviews were conducted with RCVs, members of the village disaster committee and local villagers affected by the flood in 14 villages of Kampong Cham, Kandal and Prey Veng provinces.
A draft report of the assessment has been completed which highlights the following findings:
The RCVs provided motivating examples in flood mitigation and increased awareness amongst targeted communities. This process established a foundation upon which community mobilization efforts could be built and expanded over time in the communities.
However, the geographical characteristics of each district determined the impact of flood, and thus, the strategy pursued. In addition, the individual personalities in each district played a significant role with respect to community organization and participation.
CBFMP training provided RCVs with a set of skills and knowledge, as well as confidence to impart concepts and practices related to disaster preparedness and flood mitigation solutions to community groups. While the vast majority of the villagers resorted to their regular coping mechanisms which they have relied upon year after year, they recognized the efforts of RCVs. Many villagers provided positive feedback on the mitigation activities initiated by RCVs in collaboration with local authorities.
Areas didentified for further development to enhance RCVs effectiveness in the communities include improvement in the communications system, particularly in reducing the time it takes to disseminate flood situation reports from the Red Cross to individuals at the village level.
The year 2000 flood was the first major test for the RCVs. A refresher training of trainers course is scheduled to be held during 4 to 15 june 2001. Additional modules requested by RCVs include community organizations and community participartion techniques; leadership skills; fundraisinsg methods; and water sanitation.
BSNL gears for Net phone
BHARAT Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is gearing up to carve out a sizeable chunk of the huge Inter net telephone market in the country once the Government lifts its ban on the technology two years ahead of schedule, in April 2002. The ban had been slated to end in 2004. BSNL will be ready to offer voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) in the next couple of months that will eventually bring down costs of telecom services by one hundred times.
Mr. D. P. Seth, Chairman and Managing Director of the corporate said,"the Indian VOIP market provides tremendous scope and BSNL will be adequately prepared to offer services on its network in the next few months." The Communications Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, had said the ban was not being lifted immediately, "because if we do so now, it will only help those who already have Internet connections." "The Government has acknowledge that (Internet telephony) is a technology they cannto stop, so they are being forced to make it legal," said Mr. Vinayak Rajanahally, Managing Director of Grand Infotech, which offers value-added services over the net.
United News of India
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