Maj Gen M Gopal Rao
Surveyor General
of India

The NE region may be economically less developed but is very rich in natural resources. Geo-information technology has a major role to play in achieving fast track development of the region. It can assist not only in developmental planning but also in addressing environmental issues. There is a need to explore the interface between the potential of these technologies and regional developmental needs.

Prof Gautam Barua
Director, Indian Institute of Technology,
Guwahati

The NE region can benefit a lot by recent advances in geo-spatial technology. It is prone to recurring floods, and attendant problems like soil erosion and landslides. Further this is a highly seismic zone. GST can help provide information on river flows, landslides, river damming by landslides, removal of forest cover etc. The main challenge is to get the various stakeholders and monitoring agencies to co-ordinate their activities, to adopt common standards of information collection and dissemination so that the different efforts can build on each other to provide the leap forward that can be achieved.

KC Bhattacharya
Director, North Eastern Space Application
Centre, Meghalaya

One of the focuses of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre is to develop capacity of geoinformation technologies in the NE region. This area needs more attention and sustained efforts. Decision makers are not very aware about the potential and scope of geo-information technologies for developmental planning. Even if there are defined projects, many are of the opinion that they do not have the trained man power to execute the projects.

It also has been seen that the trained manpower is posted at a position where such training is not of much use. In addition, there is a tendency to give the projects to private sectors who are not necessarily the best ones.

Brig R Sivakumar
Head, NRDMS and NSDI Division, Dept of
Science and Technology

There is a need for better awareness about the potential and application of geospatial technologies in the NE region. I hope that NEGeo 2006 shall attempt to deliberate on having NESDI involving major data producers and users making them aware about its importance and potential.

Prof S C Patra
Director, NERIWALM

The NE Region is mountainous and hilly. Landslides and poor condition of roads makes accessibility and collection of geospatial information difficult. Geo- Information Technology (GIT) is useful for preparing spatial data of different themes. The NERIWALM has already started work in this direction during the Xth Five Year Plan. Resource mapping was one of the thrust areas of the Institute. The Institute will strengthen its capability and also is proposing to network within the region and at national level for use of GIT.

However, some of the difficulties that I foresee is that of transmission of data through internet from different CD blocks or other local areas will be difficult as there is frequent power failure. The instruments and back up power supply through UPS may often face problems and rectification will take time. It will slow down data flow process. Another difficulty in the NE region is non-availability of cadastral maps and other revenue related maps. Village boundaries are often not available or plotted. Plot boundaries which is usually depicted in the cadastral maps are not available. Some of the difficulties can be sowed due to efforts of NEC, NERIWALM, DST and other academic Institutions
engaged in capacity building on Geo- Informatics. A lot of awareness is required both for creation of spatial data base and its full utilization for planning and development activities.

Saurabh Gupta
Technical Director and State Informatics Officer,
National Informatics Centre, Guwahati

In NE Region many organizations like National Informatics Centre (NIC), Space Application Centre, and State Remote Sensing Application Centre are contributing towards growth of GIT. NIC has conducted several training courses for government officials with an emphasis on awareness. GITs can be used as bottom-up approach for planning. It will be important to involve people at local level for decision making. At NIC, we have done the data digitized up to plot level in many districts like Tezpur, Kamrup, Tinsukia. There is a high utility of Web based open-source GIS solutions for micro-level planning as it can be a catalyst for improving the quality of planning process. The government has also to move now from the concept of e-governance to g-governance.

Prof BS Mipun
Department of Geography, North Eastern Hill
University, Shillong

Geography as a subject became very interesting with the advent of technology like GIS and Remote Sensing. These tools enable visual presentations of various geographic features like mountains and valleys and help in simulating different scenarios. At our University we have conducted several studies in assessing and measuring in urban sprawls, landuse/ landcover mapping. Our concerns have been on two issues. First, these technologies are too expensive and second, the lack of availability of data like high resolution satellite imageries. Although that nothing can beat this technology, both of these issues need immediate attention.

R D West
Member Secretary, State Council of Science, Technology
& Environment, Meghalaya

The State Council of Science, Technology & Environment promote and looks after the Science and Technology activities in the state. We need to employ geo-information technologies in various planning and developmental activities in Meghalaya.

NE Space Application Centre extends us full support in executing many of the state projects that involve these technologies. Many departments like forest, agriculture, etc have taken initiatives to use these technologies in their activities. However, I would like to emphasize that still there is a long way to go. NEGeo is a much needed initiative to educate and aware the potential users of geo-information technologies.

Prof A K Bhagabati
Department of Geography,
Gauhati University

The North East region is abundant in biodiversity and water resources. For the most part, the ecosystem remains the same for all the eight states. We need to utilize and conserve these resources with a perspective of long term plans.

Geo-information technologies provide such a tool that assist not only in proper planning but may also help in predicting various scenarios, for example, the scenario after 20 years. Many research institutes in the region are now focusing on building capacity of these technologies. The NEGeo 2006 will provide an opportunity to share, learn and understand the knowledge pertaining to this field.