Goa University
Visiting Research Professors Programme
D D Kosambi Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies
In association with
Organizes
Biodiversity Awareness Workshop using Open Source Geospatial Software (FOSS4G) Tools
on 8th September 2015
At conference Hall, Administrative Building, Goa University
Background
Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, is facing huge crisis due to developmental demands. While this poses a biodiversity management challenge, localised studies and disparate datasets limit the ability to upscale studies/results to a level that can provide actionable inputs. These inputs are very vital to hitherto neglected vast section of stakeholders who bear the brunt of erosion of biodiversity. Similarly the decision makers and planners stand to benefit from a vigilant civil society who are well versed with information and data gathering and dissemination. Currently such an approach is either minimal or nonexistent. New and innovative methods using geospatial technology can help bridge this gap if stakeholders have access not only to the data but also to the appropriate tools for informed decision making.
Objectives
This one day workshop will train participants in converting science-questions to an appropriate geospatial query that can provide the right insights/answers drawing upon the data base. As a part of the proposed activity, OSGeo-India along with Goa University, Goa, is taking this initiative to equip stakeholders of biodiversity of Western Ghats of Goa state to harness the state of art open source geospatial technology tools at multiple levels, viz., mobile desktop and web platforms. This one day stakeholder workshop has been planned for a cross section of stakeholders such as researchers, students, state biodiversity boards, forest department officials, line agencies and NGOs impacting on biodiversity. The topics to be covered during the workshop include the following:
- An overview of Western Ghats biodiversity and the need for spatial data – limitations and lacunae in current understanding based on description, monitoring and management of biodiversity.
- How spatial data helps provide the larger perspective for systemic understanding
- Demonstration and case studies of applications of desktop, web and mobile GIS in management of biodiversity
- Plan for intensive two week TOT Workshops, utility of the trainees and mainstreaming capacity building in the respective agencies using FOSS4G tools.
- Open Discussion session to highlight the challenges in the state for adoption and use of Geospatial and related technologies and
- Identifying and nominating a state level nodal agency for follow-up activities in the use of open source GIS for biodiversity.
Biodiversity Awareness Workshop using Open Source Geospatial Software (FOSS4G) Tools
on 8th September 2015
Tentative Programme
| 09.15 -09.30 hrs |
Registration |
|
| 09.30 – 09.45 hrs |
Inaugural |
Prof Madhav Gadgil |
DD Kosambi Chair Professor09.45 – 10.00 hrsPresentation of Workshop objectivesDr. S Narendra Prasad
OSGeo – India10.00 – 12.45 hrsSession 1 : Spatial data for biodiversity conservation 10.00 – 10.45 hrsState of biodiversity in GoaProf Madhav Gadgil10.30 – 11.00 hrsIntroduction to FOSS4G tools in desktop, web and mobile platformsGowtham G, Kaiinos, IIIT11.00 – 11.15 hrsTea Break11.15 – 12.00 hrsFOSS4G tools in mapping for conservation – Case StudiesDr. R. C. Prasad, IIIT
12.00 – 12.45 hrsDeploying people power to document biodiversity Dr Madhav Gadgil12.45 – 14.00 hrsLUNCH14.00 – 17.00 hrsSession 2 : Hands on session on open source geospatial tools (Dept of CST Lab)14.00 – 15.30 hrsOpen JumpDr. RC Prasad
Asst professor, IIIT, Hyderabad14.20 – 14.40 hrsIndia Biodiversity Portal – An OverviewDr. S . Narendra Prasad
OSGeo – India15.30 – 15.45 hrsTea Break 15.45 – 16.45 hrsMobile GISGowtham G, Kaiinos, IIIT16.45-17.30hrsDiscussion, Next steps
Participation is by invitation only. Please send email to [email protected] with subject “FOSS4G Workshop” requesting for your participation with specific reasons to attend the workshop and your background in technology or biodiversity.
Ramrao Wagh
Workshop Coordinator
