Dated October 22, 2002
Arunachal Times

Identify problematic zones and recommend ways and means to permanently mitigate hazards repeatedly experienced by Arunachal Pradesh, Brig M.S. Ghai, chief engineer, project Vartak, Border Roads Organization (BRO) urged experts attending a 11- day orientation course on application of Geographical Information System (GIS) in landslide hazard mitigation with a special reference to NE region", here today.

Addressing the inaugural function as the chief guest, Brig. M.S. Ghai said the BRO had the Herculean task of constructing roads in this seismic zone where hazards occur without any warning. Therefore, BRO was working as a crisis manager to tackle landslides. He, however, called for long term solutions to various nagging problems to expedite the growth of road network in the state.

Organized jointly by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and Arunachal unit of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), the course aimed at training manpower in the North Eastern region for effective use of GIS.

Application of GIS could go a long way in identification of problematic areas, said Dr. Ashok Kaushal Program Coordinator, Geomatics Group (C-DAC), in his introductory address. This is more relevant to the North Eastern region located in the highest seismic zone of the country as it has been frequently experiencing earthquakes and landslides leading to communication and other problems, he said.

WIHG in collaboration with C-DAC has undertaken a two year project namely microzonation and risk assessment of the landslide affected areas between Banderwa to Gohpur in the Itanagar capital complex, Dr. Kaushal who is the co-principal of the project, said.

Speaking as the guest of honor, Planning Secretary Shri. Amarnath said, the state could not make sustainable development because of the fragile topography and recurring disasters. The investors as well as tourists were shying away from the state despite its huge potentials, he said and requested the organizers to evolve remedial packages suitable to tackle ground realities of the state.

Emphasizing the role of GIS, in the process of development, IPR and S & T Secretary Shri. Chandrakar Bharti said the course would help expose the vast hydel power and tourism potentials of the state to the outside world.

Scientists and experts from C-DAC, ISRO, IIRS,GSI, universities from various parts of the country are attending the course sponsored by department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, said Dr. Trilochan Singh, Scientist in charge, WIHG and principal investigator of Itanagar project. Dr. Deb Jyoti Pal of C-DAC is the investigator of the project.