Managing natural resources using GIS: experiences in India

GIS technology is considered an exciting tool in the context of governmental planning systems for natural resource management in developing countries. However, despite rhetoric to the contrary, its impact has been of little value to national processes of development. The Indian government seems to be in the process of making long-term commitments to using GIS for natural resource management. National initiatives are being conceptualised and implemented by different organisations. They involve huge outlays of resources and have the potential to initiate large scale changes in district administration. For these changes to be productive, it is important that these initiatives are carefully planned. Here, we discuss four technological and management implications for the management of natural resources using GIS based on our past experience of districtlevel computerisation.