Environmental consciousness in development strategies and governance can be traced back to almost 150 years. However, steady and noticeable environmentalism incepted in early 1970s. Over the last four decades, there have been numerous technological and ideological advancements that dot the environmental brigade. Conceptually, environmentalism is seen to experience a practical yet strange dichotomy - which is relevant till date. One arm of arguments proclaim for tight conservation and minimal interference with ecological systems. The other argument arm holds that optimising economic and industrial growth can lead to better management of environment. The dichotomy still exists and bifurcates governments, policy makers and investors. In the last 4 years, environmentalism has seen a renewed surge in its impetus and effects, particularly after the global awareness on 'climate change' gained momentum. Interestingly, most of these environmental movements and programmes have not yet focussed on the latent potential of geospatial innovation in becoming the backbone in executing environmentalism. Geospatial innovation, which refers to the latest technological advancements and research in the field of GIS, Remote Sensing and allied sciences, have ample potential to address some of the core lacunae in taking environmental management or planning forward.
This seminar is an attempt to bring together some of the leading thinkers, practitioners, managers, academicians and industry players in the ambit of environmental management and planning on one platform to deliberate and showcase particularly on operational and delivery aspects of the modern environmental movement. The particular emphasis on geospatial technologies is aimed at forming a possible bridge between the dichotomies.
Chairperson
Dr. M Anji Reddy
( IITK) PhD
Professor
Environmental Science Technology
Chairman, Andhra Pradesh State Envoirmental Appraisal Committee, MOEF
Director , JNTU Hyderabad
India
Speakers
G. Suryanarayana
Head -EQM Division & Manager
Centre for Spatial Environmental Planning Environment Protection Training & Research Institute
India
Dr. D S Mitra Dy. General Manager (Geology) Head, Remote Sensing & Geomatics ONGC India
Robert G. Cormier
Chief Pilot & Operating Officer
Bio-Carbon Systems International Inc.
Canada
