Soil & Water dips into tech GIS knowhow

EMN Dimapur, December 14 In commemoration of Water Conservation Year, the Kohima District Soil Conservation and the Agricultural Technology Mission Agency conducted a training program on the application of GIS, base map and land use planning on Friday. The program was organized for the technical staffers of the department of agriculture and allied departments.During the inaugural session, Parliamentary Secretary for Soil & Water Conservation Shetoi Sumi released the training manual. The manual outlines the application of geographical information systems, “preparatory base map” and land use. Shetoi Sumi exhorted the Soil Conservation assistants and officials from the agriculture and allied departments to “keep themselves abreast with the latest technology such as GPS and GIS applications in the project implementation” as they were the ‘backbone of their departments whose works are greatly reflected in the success of their respective establishments.’ He advised them to identify potential areas and take up projects in convergence to avoid encroaching into the activities of the other allied departments. Also, speaking on the problem of landslide in Nagaland, he expressed the need to identify such areas and prepare a detailed project report with the application of GIS which may be submitted to the central government for consideration. This, he said, would help in early disbursement of funds from the centre which in turn would facilitate various projects to control landslides and soil erosion. Further, he expressed keen desire to upgrade the department of Soil & Water Conservation so that ‘it may achieve greater goals in the coming days’. In this regard, he spoke about his plans to send out new appointees and young officials for various training programs within the state and abroad. District soil conservation officer of Kohima K Khekiho Shohe gave the keynote address. He highlighted various applications of the modern technologies such as GIS. He also gave a briefing on the activities of the Kohima District Level Committee for Water Conservation Year.