The forthcoming second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) has been announced to take place in Hyderabad, India, in 2022. The event will shed light on the developing geospatial ecosystem within India.
About UNWGIC
The United Nation Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) organises the UNWGIC with the intent of fostering international collaboration among Member States and key stakeholders in Geospatial information management and capacities. The congress takes place every four years. The first event was hosted by China in October 2018. The theme for the second UNWGIC is ‘Geo-enabling the Global Village’.
The Role of UN-GGIM
Leading the agenda for the global geospatial information development, UN-GGIM promotes its use to address critical global issues. Its primary focus lies in executing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and ensuring no one is left behind. The initiative took shape in 2009 during an informal consultative meeting with geospatial information experts from across the globe at the United Nations Statistics Division, New York. The result of this was the Seoul Declaration on Global Geospatial Information Management in 2011.
Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Geospatial technologies refer to modern tools used for geographical mapping and analysis of Earth and human societies. These tools have evolved since prehistoric ages with significant advancements made during the Second World War and the Cold War era. Some common technologies include Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and 3D Scanning.
New Geospatial Policy in India
Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology released new guidelines for the Geo-Spatial Sector in India, liberalising the sector to foster competition. For example, SVAMITA scheme aims to empower the rural population through digital landholding certificates. It allows Indian corporations to collect, generate, prepare, disseminate, store, publish, update digital geospatial data and maps within India’s territory without prior approvals or restrictions.
Recent Initiatives in Geospatial Technologies
The Union Government has launched several web portals offering geospatial data. These include Sarthi, a Geographic Information System (GIS) developed by the Survey of India; an online maps portal with over 4,000 national, state, district, and tehsil level data maps; Manchitran, a portal offering thematic maps such as the cultural map of India, the climactic map, or the economic map; Bhuvan, the national Geo-portal developed and hosted by ISRO which includes Geo Spatial Data, Services and Tools for Analysis. The Association of Geospatial Industries also released a report titled ‘Potential of Geospatial Technologies for the Water Sector in India’. These initiatives aim to make geospatial information accessible to all.