The Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has notified the National Geospatial Policy, 2022. The policy aims to strengthen the geospatial sector to support economic prosperity, national development and a thriving information economy. It will not only create an enabling infrastructure but will also work to bring a high-resolution topographical map.
This technology has applications in every field of the economy ranging from the development of urban and rural infrastructure and agriculture to industries, administration of land, and resources, mining, banking activities of banking and finance, disaster management and providing different services.
For the promotion and functioning of the geospatial sector, the central government will form a Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (GDPDC) at the national level. The GDPDC is a 17-member body which will take care of the overall development of the geospatial ecosystem. The policy’s main aim is to use geospatial technology and data to bring efficiency in all sectors of the economy, provide accountability and transparency at all levels of the government, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by working as an agent of transformation.
What is Geospatial Technology?
Geospatial Technology is a modern tool that contributes to analysing the Earth and Human societies and geographic mapping. It is a technology used to study real earth geographic information using Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems and ground information derived from various devices and instruments.
Significance
- This technology is used in every domain of the economy that integrates sustainable national development and government systems and services.
- The government has opened its geospatial data and services offered by academic and research institutions, government agencies, private organisations and individuals.
- Every person can make use of the acquired geospatial data. One can build new applications and solutions.
- This policy aims at using Geospatial Technology and data as agents of transformation.
- This policy also functions for the development of Atmanirbhar Bharat, where it recognises the importance of locally available and relevant Geospatial data and maps for improved management and planning of resources.
- The policy also supports innovations, incubation and the creation of start-ups and ideas. In the Geospatial sector.
Applications of the data
- Drive private competitiveness and participation
- Wider adoption of Precision Farming
- Wider adoption of locational data
- Better crop forecasting
- Mapping
- Minor forest produce
- Site selection
- Urban planning
- Trade area analysis
- And in various aspects of life
