Gujarat implements GIS for coastal areas

"The development of GIS for coastal areas is a key component of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) conceived by the Union government with a view to convert the approach to coastal zone management from purely regulatory to a sustainable and participatory one," member secretary Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC), A K Verma, who heads ICZMP here,

"Coastal belt of Gujarat is very dynamic....looking at the extent of developmental activities along the coastal belt, there is a need for GIS." "Creating basic information on coastal areas using latest technologies like Remote sensing and GIS is envisaged for better management and planning of coastal environment and its resources. This would also facilitate development of local communities." Through GIS, not only scientific data, maps and pictures would collected, but even a database for infrastructure (ports, jetties, coastal highways, break-water structures, etc) will also be developed, he said.