Himachal to set up Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics and Space Applications Centre

HimVani

Shimla (Nov 10): Himachal Pradesh would be setting up a geo-informatics centre, to be named as ‘Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics and Space Applications Centre (AGiSAC)’, to carry digital planning of the state under the supervision of Department of Science, Technology and Environment, on the analogy of Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BIGSAC). This was announced by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal at a lecture series on contemporary issues of science, technology and environment programme, organized here today.

The chief minister emphasized the need for taking benefit of the modern technology to deliver people prompt, accurate and efficient services to the people of the state. He said that it was the need of the hour to dovetail the system with latest advancements in science and technology for carrying forward with developmental programmes. He said that directly linked with common man departments of Revenue, Forest, Education, Health, Agriculture, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development would be taken up under the project in the first stage, which would be carrying digitization of their records to make the same transparent and available to the people on internet.

He said that in fulfillment of the budget announcements, the state has set up State Resource Information Centre and State Centre for Climate Change, Disaster Management, Snow and Glacier Studies. He said that motive behind setting up of State Resource Information Centre was to make best use of space technology for formulation of development plans, its evaluation and monitoring. He added that similarly State Centre for Climate Change, Disaster Management, Snow and Glacier Studies was aimed at scientific study of the impact of climate change in the State and initiation of remedial steps to slow down the impact besides changing the cultivation practices suitable to climate change to ensure livelihood security.