Tamil Nadu, India, 8 January 2007 – Natural Resources Database Management System Geo-Information System Data Cells (NRDMS GIS Data Cell) are to be established in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Theni districts of Tamil Nadu during the current fiscal on an outlay of Rs.56.70 lakh to collect details on various parameters for the sustainable development of these areas, the Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor, Union Ministry of Science and Technology, K.P. Pandian, has said.
While the centres to be established in the tsunami-hit Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts with Central-State funding would be managed by a State Government agency, the cell inaugurated for Theni district recently would be manned by the 18-month-old Centre for Geo Technology, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.
Inaugurating a workshop on `Demonstration of tsunami damage assessment maps for Tamil Nadu coast’ and the NRDMS GIS Data Cell for Theni district at MSU recently, Mr. Pandian said the then North Arcot and Pudukottai districts had already got similar cells, which would collect data on land use classification, watershed modelling, groundwater budgeting, landslide studies, natural resources available in the area etc. to ensure optimum management of natural wealth available to ultimately ensure sustainable development. “If we cannot use natural resources for any development in a sustainable manner, then the result will be counterproductive,” Mr. Pandian said.
