Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 22:

Though Geographic Information System (GIS) has been recognised as an important impetus for sustainable development, it is yet to find a place in planning and decision-making process in context of Nepal, speakers at a National GIS Seminar and 11th anniversary of GIS Society said. Presenting a paper on ‘GIS for planning and decision making’, Basanta Shrestha, a member of the advisory committee of the Nepal GIS Society and head at MENRIS/ICIMOD, said, “Better data leads to better information and better information leads to better decision, which subsequently generates better outcomes and GIS is the source for better data.” As GIS provides information in visual forms, which people can understand easily, social, economic and environmental conundrums can be addressed easily, he added. Shrestha said the GIS should be a part of educational curriculum in universities.

Dr Shanker Sharma, the vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission, stressed the need to establish a network among organisations working in the field of GIS so as to prevent duplication of works. Establishing an information centre to disseminate demand-based information is the need of the hour, he added. Though GIS has been recognised as an important tool, promoting GIS at national level is still a challenge, said Toya Nath Baral, director-general, Department of Survey. A participatory effort of government and non-governmental organisations and user community is needed for promoting GIS, he said. Working papers on application of GIS in managing and study of natural disasters were presented at the seminar.