Seminar on Evolving Integrated Geospatial Policy and Strategy for India
India International Centre New Delhi
12 April 2017
Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI) organized a Seminar on Evolving Integrated Geospatial Policy and Strategy for India on April 12, 2017 at India International Centre, New Delhi. Mr. Gyanendra Kumar and Ms. Krishna Goala, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida attended the Seminar.
The Seminar was inaugurated by G. Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Advisor to Defense Minister and Mr. Srinibas Patnaik, Secretary General, AGI who delivered the Welcome Address.
Mr. Sanjay Kumar, President, AGI opened the session with his talk on Geospatial Value in Indian Economy: Prospects and Challenges . He said that Geospatial Information Policies play a key role in addressing legal and administrative requirements which enable easy access, data quality, ownership clarity and integrity of Geospatial Information (GI). With Geospatial Information becoming ubiquitous, the need for a single comprehensive, co-ordinated and cohesive GI policy is an imperative. Considering the need for one NGP, AGI Governing Council decided to set up a Working Committee for National Geospatial Policy.
Session 1
Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Distinguished Scientist, Earth System Science Organisation, Ministry of Earth Sciences started the session with the introduction of earth sciences and Geospatial Policies. He said that there are few countries that are using and developing Geospatial Technologies but when we talk about US and China, they are harnessing the best potential of the GIS and RS since years. Dr. Nayak further added that there should be three goals in developing the Geospatial policy and technology i.e.:
- Timely and easy access to the data to various stakeholders.
- Must have decision support system.
- Institutional mechanism for training and providing world class GIS technology.
Ms. Bharti Sinha, Executive Director AGI presented the Rationale and Relevance of this open session to discuss the need of a comprehensive, cohesive and collaborative Geospatial Information Infrastructure, Policies and Framework for India. She said that the usage of Geospatial Information is now being driven primarily by technological advancements, industry requirements and value derived from its usage.
Session 2
A Panel Discussion on Evolving Integrated Geospatial Policy and Strategy for India was held with the panelists included Dr. P.G. Diwakar, Scientific Secretary (ISRO), Dr. Swarna Subha Rao, Surveyor General of India, Dr. Bhoop Singh, Head NRDMS & NSDI, Lt. Gen AKS Chandel (Retd), President, Defense Security and Public Safety, Mr. Rajan Aiyar, Senior Vice President, AGI, Mr. Srinibas Patnaik, Senior Director, Digital Globe, Mr. Rakesh Verma, President, SAMA and Mr. Sanjay Kumar chaired the panel discussion.
The panel discussed and agreed for a National GI Policy which is Cohesive, Comprehensive and coordinated with everything at one place and recommended for DST to play a proactive role in bringing co-ordination with Specific Guidelines and timelines. The participants representing the cross section of geospatial industry also shared their views at the open session. A consensus was reached among the panel and the participants agreed on 10 point resolutions which would be shared with the concerned government departments
The Seminar served as a single platform to discuss the concerns and challenges of Indian geospatial industry and thereby steer the industry towards a growth path and work towards promotion and propagation of Geospatial Technologies for the benefit of society at large.