ITANAGAR : Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) on Thursday called for making Geographic Information System (GIS) technology a cornerstone of governance in Arunachal Pradesh, saying data-driven decision-making is essential for efficient service delivery and sustainable development.

Addressing the ‘Geo Vision Itanagar’ seminar organised by Esri India, the Governor said the state’s rugged terrain, dense forests, scattered habitations and extensive international borders require innovative, technology-driven governance, where geospatial intelligence serves as an indispensable tool.

Emphasising the need for all government departments to adopt GIS-based systems, he proposed the creation of a State Geospatial Governance Platform integrating data from key departments, including Revenue, Planning, Rural Development, Public Works, Forest, Agriculture, Disaster Management and Power.

According to the Governor, a unified geospatial ecosystem would improve inter-departmental coordination, facilitate seamless data sharing, eliminate duplication of work and promote evidence-based policymaking.

Highlighting land management as a priority area, Parnaik stressed the need to accelerate GIS-based cadastral surveys, digitisation of land records and implementation of the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) system. He said transparent and reliable land records would help resolve disputes, expedite infrastructure projects, enhance public confidence and create a more investment-friendly environment.

The Governor also underscored the importance of geospatial technology in infrastructure development and border area management. He advocated extensive use of drone-based mapping and geospatial monitoring for roads, bridges, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, power networks and other strategic infrastructure, noting that real-time monitoring would improve project execution and accountability while supporting initiatives such as the Vibrant Village Programme.

On disaster management, he called for closer collaboration among the Arunachal Pradesh State Application Centre (APSAC), disaster management agencies and district administrations to develop advanced hazard mapping and early warning systems for floods, landslides, earthquakes and glacial lake outburst floods.

Referring to emerging technologies, the Governor highlighted the growing importance of GeoAI, Digital Twins, drone analytics and mobile GIS in enabling predictive analysis and real-time decision-making, making governance more proactive, efficient and citizen-centric.

He said geospatial technology could significantly strengthen agriculture, horticulture, forestry, biodiversity conservation, healthcare and urban planning. GIS-based suitability analysis, he noted, could help identify ideal locations for high-value crops such as kiwi, apple, orange, walnut and large cardamom, thereby improving agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods.

The Governor also highlighted the role of geospatial intelligence in supporting social initiatives, including the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ campaign, by identifying vulnerable areas for targeted interventions. He added that GIS-enabled dashboards could provide real-time monitoring of developmental projects, ensuring greater transparency and efficient utilisation of public resources.

Appreciating Esri India for organising the seminar, the Governor expressed confidence that the deliberations would contribute to building a technologically advanced, environmentally responsible and future-ready Arunachal Pradesh. He urged all stakeholders to embrace data-driven governance in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

The seminar was attended by senior state government officials, district police officers, planners, technologists, administrators and industry experts.

Experts from Esri India showcased the concept of “Arunachal One”, a unified geospatial platform designed to support integrated planning and decision-making across departments. The discussions also focused on the application of GIS, GeoAI and drone technologies in land records management, agriculture, forestry, disaster management, border security, smart policing and utility management, while highlighting the need for capacity building to promote transparent, efficient and citizen-centric governance.