The state of Karnataka is using geospatial technologies (GSI) to modernise urban land records across all cities.
The state of Uttarakhand is using GSI to empower local communities in the development and management of natural water resources. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Rajiv Awas Yojana are using it to monitor the progress of their schemes. GIS data is mapping and surveying slums under RAJ as a first step to make India slum free. Dr Shailesh Nayak, secretary, ministry of earth sciences, pointed out that GIS can play a critical role in all spheres of good governance. Already this technology was being used extensively for forest mapping, ground water survey, ocean productivity, environmental impact, land and water and disaster management. “Its contribution to the GDP was expected to be to the tune of `50,000 crore,” Mr Nayak added. Other critical areas where GSI is in the forefront is in the area of tsunami warning and in conserving India’s 7500 long coastline.
According to the Indian Geospatial Market Report 2009, the market for GSI technologies is expanding at such a rapid pace that it is expected to touch the figure of $ ten billion by 2019.
Mr Nayak released a book titled Empowering India through Geospatial Technologies which lists out a series of 40 success stories by different organisations including municipalities in enhancing revenue collection, managing natural resources and in biodiversity conservation.
Mr T. Ramasami , secretary, department of science and technology claimed the power of GSI should not be confined for use only by the defence sector.