Natural Resources Data Management System

Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) – a multi – disciplinary programme of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India aims at developing scientific data based approach for operationalising the concept of decentralised planning. Launched in 1982, the programme is a major initiative of the Government to promote research and development cum demonstration in the field of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology and its application to the problems of natural resources management. During the VIII Plan, the focus has been on preparation of spatial district resource profiles, upgradation of the low cost GRAM GIS package, area specific application studies and training of users. Academic institution , IITs and R & D Laboratories provide technical back up Priority areas have been identified for research and development. Land system classification, watershed modelling, energy planning, groundwater budgeting, large scale resource mapping and landslide studies have the areas of research over the last few years. NRDMS is now poised towards further consolidating these efforts by upgrading the GRAM package to suit the data processing requirements of local level planning. Building up decision support modules in selected sectors like landuse planning, water conservation, energy management, and infrastructure development is in the research agenda. Concerted efforts are being made to develop kits and tutorials for the training of potential users so that the methodology strikes roots in the resource management practices at different levels of the planning hiearchy, UNDP is supporting NRDMS in this endeavour.