Promoting Geo-Technology using Information Technology
15 August 2008
If the information and techno savvy officials could convince their bosses, loads of information on
Bhutan will be accessible from any part of the world. Rabi C. Dahal reports.
As per the policy of the concerned organizations, the data could be uploaded for viewing or for sale.
Using a software called GeoNetwork, information of spatial data could be uploaded to the internet and could be visible from any part of the world. These data, include meta data aerial of maps setellite images, vector maps, and topographic maps could be accessed through internet.
As per the officials from the Department of Geology and Mines (DGM) of Bhutan, the Geographic Information System (GIS) data differs from normal data available on the web. Using GeoNetwork any form and format of data could be made available on the web.
Kiran Shakya from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said that the GIS documents may get lost due to human and computer errors over time and if all the data are shared on the web, they will be available for all time to come. He said that this will also avoid data duplication.
Ugyen Thinley, GIS officer at DGM, agreed and said getting GIS data is costly and that if it was not shared, there were chances of data duplication where the cost implication is high. Giving an example, he said If DGM already has an aerial photograph of Punakha valley, and the Ministry of Agriculture wanted it but were not aware of it, they may go for a new aerial map which may cost them a lot of resources, man power and time. If such data are available on the web, even if it is not free, people will be aware of the availability and could contact the concerned offices for the document, thereby saving money and time.
Sonam Dargay, from the Department of Survey and Land Record, said GeoNetwork is a very important software and it could be useful to Bhutan. He said that once they get the go-ahead signal from their department head, they will start forming “country nodes” (Searching data stored in different organizations around the country). After which, a sharing policy will be formulated and if everything goes well they will start using GeoNetwork within a year.
Sonam Dargay said that Bhutan was previously reluctant to share information over the internet. The conservatism of the government changed a bit when Google Earth came, where details of every part of the country was available on the internet. If things go well the survey department will be the first to start with GeoNetwork in Bhutan.
It was learned that one reason for the delay in Thimphu WAN earlier this year was attributed to the City Corporation, where the underground cables were unearthed during the expansion of the roads. A lot of time the roads and streets are dug by different organizations for their works. If all the data are shared then the duplication of work could be avoided. Different organization could use the single data.
Ugyen Thinley said there is lack of coordination among different organizations in Bhutan. And if such data are available, it will ease everyone’s work.
Sharing of data doesn’t interest a single country anymore, Deo Raj Gurung from ICIMOD said that everything today is a trans-boundary issue, be it in pollution, GLOF, flood or landslide – neighbouring countries are affected in one way or another.
The data shared over the internet will help countries to know about the situations in other countries. The main aim of the GeoNetwork is to share meta data over the internet, whether it is free or not. He said that if the data is not free of cost and if it is on the web, there will be awareness and one could always contact the concerned organizations.
The two-member delegation from ICIMOD was in the country, giving awareness trainings to different stake holders from July 25-30 on the use and advantage of GeoNetwork.
Kiran Shakya said that he could see a lot of enthusiasm in the Bhutanese who attended the training. But he said Bhutan couldn’t shift to the new system at one go. They need to discuss the applicability- today data is stored as per the format. He said that once it’s done, GeoNetwork would enable data harmonization.
Four of the eight ICIMOD countries, Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Pakistan are using this application.
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Loading ...Zakar for Friday July 30 2010
20th Day of the 06th Month - Iron Male Tiger Year
Auspicious for: Carrying out daily chores and making offerings.
Inauspicious for: Starting construction of new house, sowing seeds, planting flowers, entering the new house, shifting houses, calling upon superiors, starting business, doing charity works in the name of deceased, taking out dead bodies, paying grain debts, undertaking long journey and holding discussion.
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Convince the boss? why do we need to do that if bosses have no capacity and aptitude to tune with time. Best thing change the boss which is difficult…so status quo..