Bhutan: Spatial planning & GIS coordination central to 12th 5-year Plan
In what could be taking the method of infrastructure planning to the next level, GIS will be used in the 12th Plan. That means any government agencies making plans for infrastructure development will need to inform the National Land Commission (NLC), the custodian of GIS.
“GIS is important for the preparation of the 12th Five Year Plan,” Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay said speaking at the first ever National Geo-Conference in Thimphu on December 15th. He said coordination among agencies in using GIS for planning activities was a major problem in the past and the conference is critical for Bhutan as GIS is important.
“If we are to improve planning in Bhutan and take it to next level, we must ensure spatial planning and efficient use of GIS,” he said. “If there is one area that the government has focused on in the last three years in terms of governance, it is coordination. This I believe is an auspicious start.”
Today, there are over 100 GIS experts from 32 different agencies, including the private sector, who are members of the Centre of GIS Coordination (CGISC). The Centre works with the primary goal of sharing resources and avoiding duplication in the spatial industry.
“The commission and CGISC have been working towards creating a geographic information policy, whose concept was approved by the Cabinet,” he said, adding that draft of the policy will soon be submitted to the government for approval.
See also:
National Land Commission: http://www.nlcs.gov.bt/
Bhutan Geoportal: http://www.geo.gov.bt/
National GIS Coordination Committee (NGISCC): http://www.nlcs.gov.bt/division/ddetails.php?id=9
Source: http://www.kuenselonline.com/gis-to-make-planning-more-efficient/
