India’s digital environmental atlas, a click away

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India’s first Digital Environmental Atlas is just a click away. This interactive state of environment atlas of India is an innovative interactive atlas. The Atlas is a compilation of categorised thematic maps on green (forest, biodiversity), blue (water resources) and brown (air pollution) environmental issues and provides flexibility and versatility for users to visualise environment spatial data using simple Geographic Information System (GIS) functionalities. The data used in preparation of the spatial maps and atlas are taken from various government sources. The unique feature of the Atlas is the Pressure – State – Impact – Response (PSIR) framework analysis, where all the maps are presented and displayed in the PSIR framework. The Atlas will regularly provide the public, government, non-government organisation, and decision makers with accurate, timely and accessible information on the state of environment.

The status of thenvironment and the contribution of conventional development strategies to achieve sustainable development have been a matter of increasing concern over the last few decades. For development planning and policy making ready and quick availability of related information is an essential pre-requisite. Decisions relating to sustainable development can be taken more effectively if environment and socio-economic data over certain period of time, and for specific geographical areas are collected, presented and disseminated. Spatial database becomes vital for judicious use of natural resources. Now with the help of State of Environment Atlas all these issues are addressed.

Realising the need of digital translation of work in every sphere, Development Alternatives (DA) with the support from Union Ministry of Environment and Forests designed and developed the first Interactive State of Environment (SoE) Atlas of India. The Atlas is the first of its kind in India with regular updates and is available both as a CD and as an interactive website.