Turmeric Man of Himachal Pradesh

"Committed to bring geo-information for the benefit of people and sustainable development ..."

Q. Discuss domain of services of Aryabhatta Geo-informatics & Space Application Centre (AGiSAC). HPAS GS-3 (4 Marks)

Aryabhatta Geo-informatics & Space Application Centre (AGiSAC)

The Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics and Space Applications Centre (AGiSAC) is a government center in Himachal Pradesh that carries out digital planning for the state. Aryabhatta Geo-informatics & Space Application Centre (AGiSAC) is to bring geo-information for the benefit of people and sustainable development. 

Establishment

• Set up in  2011
• Under the aegis of Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment, (HIMCOSTE)is the nodal agency for the promotion of Science & Technology and creation of Environment Awareness in the State.  

Collaboration

AGiSAC is set up in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Application and Geo Informatics (BISAG), Gandhinagar, Gujrat aims to create a model for inter-state cooperation. This collaborative effort focus on conducting studies related to climate change and formulating scientifically informed policies to mitigate its impact. Additionally, the initiative seeks to leverage geo-informatics applications for decentralized planning and decision-making.Spatial information plays a crucial role in the planning process, facilitating the effective implementation of various developmental activities. The project will promote the widespread use of geo-spatial applications through integrated support systems and software. In its initial phase, the project directly engaged with key government departments, such as Revenue, Forest, Education, Health, Agriculture, Horticulture, Panchayati Raj, and Rural Development. The primary objective at this stage is to digitize their records, ensuring transparency and accessibility for the public via the internet.

Role of BISAG

The role of Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG) in the context of Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics and Space Applications Centre (AGiSAC) is outlined as follows:

Expertise Provision:

BISAG provides expertise in the area of conversion of satellite images into ortho-images.

It is involved in the imposition of data on satellite imageries and linkage of attribute data.

Connectivity and System Development:

BISAG ensures connectivity with AGiSAC.

It plays a role in system development software output.

Technical Guidance and Support:

BISAG offers technical guidance and support in the field of geo-information and remote sensing applications.

Capacity Building:

BISAG is responsible for providing training and capacity-building to scientific and technical personnel of the hill State.

The State will immensely gain benefits from technical expertise of BISAG which specialises in providing space application and geo-informatics services and covers all major sectors of remote sensing applications in decentralised planning along with awareness, capacity building and dissemination of information through SATCOM Network.

Objectives

The following objectives were envisaged for the State Centre:

• To facilitate decentralized planning and decision making.
• To facilitate Monitoring and Evaluation of Government Schemes & Programmes.
• To set up integrated natural resources data management system.
• To provide services/consultancy based on specific user needs in the field of Remote Sensing and GIS.
• To provide wider usage of geo-spatial applications through simultaneous support systems/ software.

Domain of Services

1. Geo-Informatics: AGiSAC shall endeavour for conceptualization, creation and organization of multi-purpose common digital database for sectoral/integrated decision support systems.
2. Remote Sensing: For Inventorization, Mapping, Developmental Planning and Monitoring of Natural & Man-made Resources.
3. Global Navigation Satellite System: For Location based services, Geo-referencing, Engineering Application and Research.
4. Cartography: For Thematic Mapping and Value added maps.
5. Photogrammetry: For creation of Digital Elevation Models, Terrain   Characteristics & Resource Planning.
6. Software Development: For wider usage of Geo-spatial applications, Decision Support Systems (Desktop as well as Web based).
7. Mapping services: Mapping services to the Governments and Non-Governments Organizations  for planning, documentation and other purposes. Mapping services for Environment Impact Assessment  (EIA) and  Environment Management Plan (EMP). Mapping solutions to the Governments and Non-Governments Organizations for the purpose of EIA and EMP preparation and  implementation monitoring.

Applications

1. Desktop Applications: A desktop application is a self-contained program that performs a defined set of tasks under the control of user. The Desktop applications run from a local drive and do not require a network or connectivity to operate or function properly.

AGISAC shall provide easy functionality and adds on to the Map Window GIS, which is a open source-software, which allows display of various geospatial layers, visualisation, comparison of  datasets in form of maps and charts, user defined complex mathematical and logical geo-spatial queries, integration of new datasets in GIS, low cost, user friendly customised  GIS solutions using Windows GIS can benefit several Departments.

2. Web Applications: A web based application is a software package that can be accessed through the web-browser. The software and database reside on a central server rather than being installed on the desktop system and is accessed over a network from anywhere.

Effective utilization of AGiSAC's applications in the state

Spatial Database for Schemes Monitoring:

• AGiSAC generates a spatial database for various schemes, such as MGNREGA, Land Development, Flood Control, Micro Irrigation, Rural Connectivity, and more.
• This database facilitates the monitoring and assessment of ongoing schemes, providing valuable insights for decision-making.

Mapping of Various Works:

• AGiSAC is involved in the mapping of diverse projects, including Livestock-related work, Agriculture-related work, Construction of Play Fields, and Rural Drinking Water projects.
• The mapping process includes the generation of different layers, such as Contour Map, Soil Map, Land use Map, Drainage Map, and more.

Spatial Panchayat Information System (SPIS):

• AGiSAC implements SPIS for Pujarli Panchayat of Shimla, which involves site suitability analysis for water tanks and mapping of plan headworks for Mashobra Block.

Online Monitoring and Assessment:

• AGiSAC develops online applications for the automatic monitoring and assessment of various projects, including the use of GPS-enabled mobile applications and geo-tagged photographs.

GIS Applications for Various Departments:

• AGiSAC develops web-based and desktop applications for multiple state user departments, such as Forest, Health, Education, Irrigation & Public Health, Environment, Science & Technology, Tourism, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Rural Development.

Departmental Information System:

• AGiSAC aids various departments in mapping and interpreting their databases on staff, physical infrastructure, and equipment in a geo-spatial context.
• This information assists in human resource planning, monitoring capacity-building measures, and maintaining regional balance.

Applications in Specific Sectors:

• AGiSAC tailors its applications for specific sectors, such as horticulture, tribal areas, and developmental planning.
• For example, applications are developed for mapping polyhouses, vermicompost units, water storage tanks, orchards, and tribal infrastructure.

Decision Support Systems:

• AGiSAC contributes to the development of decision support applications that use geospatial analysis for establishing assets, schemes, and projects.
• This includes gap analysis of existing infrastructure and the identification of ideal locations for various facilities.

Alerts and Advisories:

• AGiSAC develops applications for disseminating alerts and advisories to grass-root level functionaries, providing early warnings for events like disease outbreaks, forest fires, and floods.

Mobile Applications Integration:

• AGiSAC integrates mobile-based applications into web applications for real-time information dissemination, visualization, and monitoring of vital information.

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