Using GIS to monitor lands and forests

by Sayed Javed Ahmad
March 25, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/626/using-gis-to-monitor-lands-and-forests

Geographical Information System (GIS) is developing area in the field of Computer Sciences and Information Technology as multi-disciplinary subject linked to Geography, Soil and Environmental Sciences that could be used for governmental observation and monitoring by the appropriate department of our geographical landscape for any illegal or unreported changes.

Almost everyday we find news of land grabbing, destruction of forest trees, removal of sand from river beds, filling up of ponds, destruction of crops cultivation lands, etc in our daily newspapers. From the ongoing situation it seems like our respective government institutions are lacking sufficient manpower to keep watch of the national resources or private resources to uphold the governmental environment protection related policies. Many private land boundary related disputes could be handled efficiently using GIS with accuracy and efficiency.

Bangladesh probably has a space orbital path that is currently rented out to Malaysia where a satellite is now being deployed. Once the rental term expires, Bangladesh could take measures to install its own satellite on that orbital to use for GIS purposes as well as for other telecommunication purposes – civil and military.

With proper GIS based system installed at the national level we would have the privilege to monitor our landscapes for any changes directly from our satellite images. This would allow our government to take necessary measures against any illegal activities in the country's geographical boundaries.

Today we have many GIS professionals in the country who are working in different organizations and supporting the academic institutions to develop the field. For instance, University of Chittagong, University of Jahangir Nagar, University of Dhaka, University of Rajshahi, The Engineering Staff College of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARSO) and much other institution are offering training and academic programs in the country. Therefore, there is no shortage of experts and professionals in the country to undertake and implement a GIS project at this level.

Apart from utilizing our own resources and expertise in the area, we could also welcome foreign organizations and experts to cooperate in this project implementation in our country with their learned and proven experiences so that we could get an optimized state-of-the-art setup. Some neighboring countries may even show interest in a joint venture offer thus reducing the cost for Bangladesh taking advantage of utilizing and harnessing the latest technology and development in the GIS field.

GIS holds many promises in the development of 'Digital Bangladesh'. Our government should take measures in the development and establishment of this technology in Bangladesh that would open up many doors of economic and social developments.

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