Annual Report 2004-2005

Management Information Systems

National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS)

The scientific and technological activities play a vital role in the economic, social and physical development of a country. Scientific and technological research needs huge investments and calls for a judicious utilization of scarce resources like investment, trained manpower, raw materials etc. The growth of science and technology, its performance and impact on society and economy are indicators to assess the effectiveness of planning and policy formulation. For this purpose, it is necessary to build science and technology information on a continuous basis. The National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) under the Department of Science and Technology is entrusted with the task of collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of vital S&T information at a national level.

With a view to build reasonable database/analyses on S&T investment, S&T manpower availability/deployment/gap and S&T indicators, a number of studies were sponsored during the year.

S&T Resources Studies

The national survey for bringing out the report titled ‘Research and Development Statistics 2002-2003’ was completed and data were being compiled. This report would provide information and analysis in forms and variety like financial and human resources deployed by research institutions/ laboratories of major scientific agencies, central ministries/departments, State Government institutions/ departments, research stations and in-house R&D units of public and private sector industries.

The sectoral report on ‘Research & Development in Industry’ based on the above mentioned survey will provide detailed information on the financial and human resources devoted to industrial R&D activities.

The pocket version of Data Book 2002 was published. This year, a new section on Information, Communication Technology (ICT) Indicators had been added.

Information System and Database Activities

The National Science and Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) continued its effort to compile information on extramural R&D projects funded by different central agencies. Besides maintaining a computerised database on extramural R&D projects from 1985-86 onwards, the NSTMIS continued to publish annually, a directory of extramural R&D projects funded during every financial year.

The directory for the year 2001-02, twelfth in the series, contains information on 2304 new R&D projects approved by 19 central government departments/agencies. The total approved cost of these projects was Rs.444.96 crores. Projects in Engineering & Technology (28%), Medical Sciences (20%) and Biological Sciences (13%) together cost about 61% of the total R&D support. Forty eight percent (48%) of the total support was given to the academic sector. The National Laboratories under government received 38% of the total financial support. Among the funding agencies, the extramural R&D support by Department of Science & Technology (DST) was the highest; being 115.85 crores, and it was followed by DBT (Rs.103.96 crores).

The next annual survey for updating the above database and to produce directory for the year 2002-2003, had been launched. Also, based on the above mentioned database, the DST has been bringing out reports giving quick analyses on the extramural research support by the central government agencies. Two reports on the funding pattern of the sponsored research by scientific agencies, for the periods 1985-90 and 1990-95 had already been brought out. The third report for the period 1995-2000 had been completed. The work to produce general information booklet has been initiated this year. This will provide information on various schemes of Central Government funding agencies.

The projects completed during the year were-The Survey on Application of Performance Appraisal, on Training & Development in SSIs; Research and Development in Sociology and Social Anthropology; Database on Metals and Minerals of Traditional System; Creation of Database of Agricultural Scientists and Experts to Solve Farm Level Problems; Study on Guidelines for Measuring Success or Failure of Research Projects; S&T Awards in India; Changing Trends in Science as a Career; and Aspects of Knowledge Generating Institutions in India.

International Collaboration

The NSTMIS had actively participated and contributed in the development and revision of standards, concepts, and definitions used for collection of Science Statistics and development of Science & Technology Indicators in UNESCO and OECD meetings. It also provided information for the country on Science & Technology indicators to UNESCO for their publication titled “UNESCO Statistical Yearbook”. Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS)

Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) programme is a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional programme aimed at developing methodologies for promoting and use of spatial data management and analysis technologies in local area planning. For developing necessary inputs for local planning strategies, NRDMS is supporting several academic and R&D Institutions with projects specially focusing towards the need of local level planning. Keeping in view the current system of governance, technological advancement and the end-user requirements, vision of the NRDMS programme has been upgraded to empower people, communities and institutions of self-governance, with Spatial Data Technologies, for informed participation in decision-making for Integrated Development plans. The present emphasis of the programme is as follows:

Demonstrate and promote the use of Spatial Data Technologies for micro level planning under diverse terrain conditions;

• Provide software support for data management, modeling and operation research;
  
• Promote R & D in spatial data technology;
  
• Technology Transfer & Capacity Building of potential users;
  
• Forge linkages with the users at different levels;

Provide S&T inputs for framing policies related to Spatial Data Technologies;

• Develop & demonstrate pilot scale spatial infrastructure and provide research support to National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and
  
• Documentation and dissemination of information.

The new thrust areas for R&D identified under the programme included Spatial Data Technologies; Advanced Technology Applications in large scale spatial data gathering; Land & Water Management at local level; Landslide Hazard Mitigation; Coastal Zone Resource Management; and Technology Transfer and Capacity Building.

The activities under the NRDMS programme during 2004-2005 are reported below:

GIS District Database Centers

NRDMS GIS Database Centers were set up in Bageshwar, and Champawat Districts in Uttaranchal. In Karnataka State, out of the 27 districts, 16 districts have already been covered and during 2004-05, 6 districts are being covered. The entire state would be covered by 2007. In Madhya Pradesh, 3 districts namely Mandla, Seoni and Dedoni are being taken up under the programme. In Haryana, comprehensive GIS database has been developed for Punchkula, Yamunanagar and Ambala districts. In Rajasthan, Tonk district has been taken up for resource mapping.

"Hydrology of small watersheds" sub-programme

Data on hydro-meteorological, soil, nutrients and process related parameters at small watershed level have been generated on daily/weekly/monthly/ seasonal basis in a pair of treated and untreated watersheds representing four different agro-ecological zones of the country. The data have been analysed to generate water and land management plan containing water balance study monthly, SDSS for land and water management have been developed for different agro ecological zones. Biophysical indicators were identified and used to monitor the changes due to the interventions. Based on the outputs of the various projects, a technical volume is being brought out to highlight the achievements of the programme.

"Landslide Hazard Mitigation" sub-programme

Landslide hazard zonation mapping and risk assessment on larger scale has been undertaken in selected areas of Uttaranchal State. Based on the outputs of the project supported earlier, a Landslide Hazard Zonation Atlas is being brought out. Few R&D projects on landslide hazard mitigation were supported to undertake detailed studies on Geological and Geotechnical aspects to help in developing models for slope stability analysis. As a part of this programme, a Mission Mode Project on Landslide Hazard Mitigation focusing on Uttaranchal State has been evolved. The emphasis of the project is to provide total S&T solution using state-of-the-art technologies to control and adopt the preventive measures at some of the active landslide sites. An Early Warning System is also being developed and operationalised at least in two sites to provide on line data/ information of various parameters responsible for triggering the mass movement. This would be processed and used in issuing the Early Warning in highly vulnerable zones of the landslides.

"Bio-Geo Database & Ecological Modeling for the Himalayas" sub-programme

Data collection and collation activities for the generation of datasets of natural resources (on land use, soil, water, geology, flora and fauna) and socio economy are going on for three micro watersheds in Himachal Pradesh (HP) study transect. The generation of topographical data in the digital form at 1:25,000 scale by SOI has been initiated for HP study transect. The detailed soil survey of Moolbary watershed was completed and soils were mapped at soil series phase level (Figure 9.1). The soil resource data was interpreted for land capability and irrigability classification. Further, efforts are being made to organize the integrated database out of these datasets in GIS framework. For the Uttaranchal (UA) study transect, specific R&D studies on soil erosion, hydrology, ground water, socio-economy, biodiversity have been initiated for Fakot & Pathrirao (Garhwal region) micro watersheds by the identified technical groups.

National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)

This programme is focusing on standardization of the data sets, make the standard sets available on a network, and set up a set of mechanisms and policies for facilitating authentication and availability of various types of spatial data sets collected in the country for use in various developmental purposes. Various departments and survey agencies like DST, SOI, NATMO, DOS, GSI, ICAR, CGWB are participating in this endeavour. Creation of the NGDI will require launching of various R & D initiatives defining data / metadata standards, developing data transfer standards, building up data browsing tools / protocols, setting up of data clearing houses for data validation / authentication. NGDI with its data / metadata standards will facilitate creation and development of resource databases for the district level GIS centers and modeling studies. During the X plan, it is therefore proposed to launch a sub-programme on NGDI to help evolve the standard data sets needed for developing district level databases and modeling exercises vis-à-vis the NGDI standards. A mechanism will be set up for validating and authenticating the data sets generated through primary surveys for research and modeling purposes. Creation of National Geospatial Data Committee (NGDC) for NSDI is being considered by the Cabinet.

Map Policy

A new map policy has been drafted to make the maps and map data easily available and accessible to all for all areas of the country without any restriction. The policy envisages two series of maps: one for defence and other for civilian use. Maps in the public domain will have different content, different datum and projection. These maps will also be depicting contours and graticule values. The policy was approved by the Committee of Secretaries and is being submitted to the Cabinet for its approval.

Village Information System (Local Spatial Data Infrastructure)

A brainstorming workshop was conducted in October 2004, to evolve a methodology for Village Information System (VIS) in which a number of experts from Government, academia and NGOs participated. The task has now been undertaken by Survey of India and is expected to be completed with in a year.

Mapping the Neighbourhood Programme

The programme was initiated to map the surrounding areas with the help of school children. This was a step in generating knowledge maps and also creating awareness/ capacity building
among the students and teachers. The mapping exercise was initiated with 10 schools in awalbagh development block of Almora District. As a part of the programme, detailed methodology for neighbourhood mapping has been developed. The programme is being extended to 30,000 schools all over the country.

PURA (Providing urban amenities in rural areas)

An innovative project for providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) was launched in 2003. The basic aim of the project is to develop a typical rural economic model involving physical, electronic, economic and knowledge connectivities. Since, it is a unique project having inter connectivity of various sectors; it may require inputs from multi-disciplinary groups working in the area. A block of District Haridwar has been selected to be developed as a model on physical connectivity. To facilitate this, three projects have been supported to various agencies for providing their inputs related to development of comprehensive GIS database of the block on larger scale, development of energy model and development of models for locating the various infrastructural facilities and their interconnectivity.

Coastal Zone Resource Management sub programme

Five R&D projects were supported to undertake detailed mapping and assess the coastal stability for providing the suitable measures for stabilization of the soil erosion. A mathematical model was developed to predict long and short-term coastal changes. Using this model, prediction of shoreline advancement and water surface elevation at 2.5 hours after the high water at the entrance has been carried out (Figures 9.2 and 9.3). The approach paper on the theme is under finalization.

Programme on “Creating Awareness about Applications of Geo-Informatics for Local problem solving”

Goal of this programme is to create awareness about utility of maps and Geo-informatics for local problem solving among rural masses. In pilot mode, the programme was launched in the States of Punjab, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, covering ten schools each from four districts from each of the states. At the end of the programme, it is targeted that 15,000 school children will be made aware about the basics of maps and Geo-informatics and their utility in local problem solving.

Training and User Workshops

• A training programme on the application of GPS and GIS in landslide hazard mitigation was conducted in April 2004 at IIT, Roorkee.
  
• A short term course on landslide hazard mitigation and mapping was organized in September, 2004 at SASTRA, Thanjavur.
  
• Two training programmes on GIS and Remote Sensing for the scientists working under Bio- Geodatabase and ecological modeling were organized at IIT, Roorkee.
  
• Two specialized training modules; first on “the concept of database & GIS” for the Project Investigators (PIs) from HP transects and second on “GRAM++ package” was organized for both HP & UA PIs during March – April 2004 & January 2004 at IIT-Roorkee respectively.