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
