CHANDIGARH: 18 October 2011: The third and the concluding day of the XXXI INCA
International Congress was full of activities. The session began with two special
lectures.  Engineer Sneh Mani, Deputy Director, SASE made a presentation on “High
Resolution Terrain Mapping of Himalayan Region” in which he took a case study of
avalanche prone areas. He also detailed upon the ways in which high resolution
cartography helps us.

Dr. A. P. Singh, Deputy Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, in his
presentation on “GIS Based Census in India” gave a detailed account of the 2011
census. He elaborated upon various pre census and post census activities including the
preparation of properly updated and accurate maps of each administrative unit before
the beginning of every census. He informed that census in India has recently published
the “Administrative Atlas of India for the year 2011. In 2011 census, apart from town
maps, wards and all important landmark features, detailed digital geo-referenced data
base of capital cities have also been prepared. Earlier Census of India prepared
thematic maps, but in 2011 census, interactive thematic maps in GIS domain are
proposed to be made. This session was chaired by Prof.  P.S. Tiwari, Department of
Geography, Madras University, Chennai.

There were 13 research papers presented in the technical session that followed by
these special lectures.  The session was chaired by Ashok Kausha, Senior Manager,
Rolta India, Mumbai. Sh Murali Krishnan made a presentation on role of ISRO in EO
Data. He explained the new initiatives taken by ISRO which include the launch of new
satellites like MEGHA-Tropiques and BHUVAN web site.

Sh B.K. Srivastava, Director, MGSIPAP was the Chief Guest on this occasion and Prof
G.S. Gosal presided over the valedictory function.  

Sh. Srivastava in his address emphasized on standardization of symbols and colours in
mapping disasters. INCA may take initiative in this direction. There is a need to have
interface between users and software developers to address the emerging needs of the
world.

Prof Smita Bhutani presented the report of the congress.  In all, 55 research papers
were presented in ten technical sessions. There were 10 special lectures delivered in
three sessions. Two memorial lectures: Todar Mal and Prof S. P. Chatterjee were
delivered by Prof David Dickason from University of Michigan, USA and Prof Josef
Strobl from, Austria, respectively. The Atlas of Chandigarh and Punjab and district
maps of many districts in Punjab prepared by NATMO were released by Sh. A. K. Sinha,
Vice- Chairman, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, Bihar.

A poster presentation session was also organised besides the exhibition. Maj Genral
Manoj Tayal, Past President and SH K. K. C. Rout were felicitated. Rear Admiral S. K.
Jha from NHO is the new President of INCA.

Dr. Krishna Mohan, Organizing Secretary, INCA and Chairman, department of Geography
extended a vote of thanks.

Press Note No.428
MMK/PS