Technology
Due to the recent developments in the field of information technology, geographical information system, transparent e-governance and requirement of geospatial information for infrastructure development, disaster mitigation, resource management and the like, India has become emergent case for the implementation of the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure or NGDI in short. On one hand the geospatial information is to be organized for rapid development while on the other hand the potentiality for raising trained manpower exists. One has to seriously look into the current status of education and training and the requirements for taking up the national task of developing NGDI.
NGDI involves remote sensing, GIS and related data, socio-economic data, global positioning system (GPS), digital mapping and cadastre. Since the data is to be spatially linked, geodesy becomes important. Another aspect of this activity is the electronic accessibility of information, hence IT become an essential component. Hence, manpower development has encompassed all these aspects.
A review of the training programmes conducted by different institutions in the country will indicate that they partially meet the need of NGDI. These programmes are run by the Survey of India, National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO), Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Institute of Remote Sensing of Anna University, National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA); professional bodies like Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA) and Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG); and NGOs like Centre for Spatial Data Management and Solutions (CSDMS). Obviously these training courses partly meet the requirements. A serious effort has to be made towards education and training if the implementation of NGDI has to be successful in the country.
After analysing the man power requirements for NGDI, it has been felt that there is a scope for having a national level institution for NGDI. It can bank on the experiences, strength and expertise of the institutions which are imparting training in related fields. The proposed institution should have a catalytic effect, i.e. it should also provide training for trainers. The country is huge and Organisation of geospatial data can not be carried by one institution alone. This will also increase awareness of the importance of geospatial data among the persons handling the geospatial data.
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