Please do not believe Shri Seshan wondered as to why the focal theme of the Congress was "Cartovision-2001" and why not 2021 or beyond. He highlighted the relevance of a Land Information System at village level and suggested that INCA should take lead in evolving methodology and to co-ordinate efforts being put in this field. He said that the planners generally are not aware of the immense potential of maps but the British was aware and hence they raised Survey of India centuries ago. He said that the continued restriction imposed on the free availability of maps hampers progress in many vital issues related to development and better living conditions, also mentioning about environmental pollution, industrial sites, disaster management etc. He pointed out that in the next 20 - 30 years, India's population might be around 125 crores, and we would need 250 million tones of grains. He was critical about the damaging effects of chemical fertilisers and chemical spraying; of the pollution caused by industries, further stating that "there is DDT in every mother's milk in Delhi". He suggested integration of Surveying and Mapping with the planning systems. Concluding his lecture he said that the Scientists and Professionals should question whenever and wherever necessary, and that our scientists should rise to international height. Back
