Survey Department / National Geographic Information Infrastructure Project (NGIIP) organized a one half day workshop on the topic “SDI Policy Framework in The Nepalese Context” in Nepal Administrative Staff College, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur on June 18, 2009.

 

The objectives of the workshop are:

 

 

The workshop was attended by sixty officials representing different ministries, departments, private sector, international organization, universities and civil servant trade unions.

 

Dr. Keshav Raj Kanel, Secreatry at the Ministry of Land reform and Management (MLRM) chaired the inaugural session of the workshop. The programme started with a welcome speech by Rabin Kaji Sharma, the Director General of Survey Department (SD). The chief guest Mr. Dambar Shrestha, honorable minister at MLRM, Mr. Begendra Raj Sharma Paudyal and Mr. Raja Ram Chhatkuli, Joint Secretaries at the MLRM and Dr. Keshav Raj Kanel, Secreatry at the MLRM have addressed the workshop.

 

During the inauguration session, The Director General of SD, Mr. Rabin Kaji Sharma welcomed all distinguished guests and participants and wished for the success of the workshop.

 

The chief guest Mr. Dambar Shrestha, MLRM inaugurated the workshop by lighting the “Panas”.

 

In his speech, Mr. Begendra Raj Sharma Paudyal, Joint Secretary at the MLRM focused on the importance of land policy. He also stressed the importance of geoinformation in different fields.

 

Mr. Raja Ram Chhatkuli, Joint Secretary at the MLRM explained about brief history of establishment of NGIIP in Nepal. He also explained the role of geoinformation from a variety of organizations in decision making process.

 

The chief guest Mr. Dambar Shrestha, honorable minister at MLRM promised to help from his side in the process of making policy in the field of SDI.

 

Mr. Durgendra Man Kayastha, Chief Survey Officer, Topographical Survey Branch, SD thanked all distinguished guests for their valuable time and guidance, all participants for participating in the workshop.

 

Dr. Keshav Raj Kanel, Secreatry at the MLRM expressed his views that the policy should be simple and realistic. He also expressed that there should be coordination between different organizations and there should be commitment from each and every organization.

 

Following four technical papers were presented in the workshop:

 

1.       Current status of NGIIP in Survey Department, Mr. D. R. Bhandari, NGIIP

 

2.       Data Preparedness for Emergencies and National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) in the Nepalese Context, Mr. P. Kumar / Mr. P. Pr. Sapkota, UN OCHA

 

3.      Development trend of SDI and the role of Private sector in building National SDI – An Experience of private sector involving in Spatial Data Preparation, Dr. B. R. Shrestha / Mr. S. Shrestha, GeoSpatial Systems Pvt. Ltd.

 

4.       Need of policy on Spatial Data Infrastructure, Mr. N. R. Subedi, NGIIP

 

Most of the participants took part in the open discussion session of the workshop. The following points summarize the discussion:

 

 In order to address the above concerns a national policy on SDI should be formulated and adopted. With this aim it is recommendated that the Survey Department constitute a policy drafting committee with appropriate representation of all stakeholders (public and private sectors). This committee will prepare a draft policy paper which will be presented before all concerned before finalizing it.