Itanagar, Dec 2: Governor Lt General (Retd) KT Parnaik on Tuesday said that geospatial technology is set to become a transformative force for Arunachal Pradesh, enabling smarter, evidence-based planning and governance.
He made these remarks while participating in the GeoSmart India 2025 Conference and Expo, themed “One Nation, One Map – Advancing Geospatial Infrastructure for National Sovereignty and Economy”, being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Speaking at the North East Conclave session, the Governor said that geospatial technologies – ranging from GIS and GPS to drones, satellite imagery and digital mapping – have become indispensable tools for smart, evidence-based governance. He said that these technologies strengthen the development process by accurately mapping terrain, resources and infrastructure gaps, enabling planners to identify optimal locations for roads, bridges and public services while reducing guesswork and ensuring alignment with local needs and environmental realities.
The Governor noted that geospatial tools also enhance transparency and efficiency in monitoring by tracking land use, forests, water bodies, crop patterns and project progress in real time. Such capabilities, he added, support scientific assessment of natural resources, climate patterns, biodiversity and socio-economic trends, thereby helping policymakers take informed and future-ready decisions.
He further stated that geospatial analysis plays a crucial role even before the launch of a project by evaluating feasibility, risks and environmental sensitivity, thereby reducing conflicts, delays and cost overruns.
He suggested the formulation of a State-level geospatial policy, creation of a central data repository, capacity-building of government personnel in GIS, use of dashboards for public projects, integration of drone-based mapping and greater inter-departmental collaboration to develop a unified geospatial database for better decision-making.
Highlighting its importance in disaster management, the Governor said that geospatial tools can help identify landslide-prone zones, flood paths and vulnerable settlements at an early stage, enabling quicker and more targeted response. He added that such technologies would strengthen environmental protection by monitoring forests, wildlife corridors and rivers, and boost agriculture by identifying suitable areas for crops such as kiwi, orange and apple, along with supporting precision farming.
Geospatial mapping, he said, would also improve urban and rural planning, assist in border management in remote areas and promote sustainable tourism by accurately marking trekking routes, cultural sites and eco-tourism zones.
Emphasising transparency in governance, the Governor said that GIS-based dashboards would bring greater accountability in the implementation of government projects, while mapping of natural resources and renewable energy potential would guide the State towards sustainable long-term planning.
Referring to his recent review of the implementation of PM GatiShakti in the State, the Governor said that while the platform is an invaluable tool for monitoring welfare schemes and infrastructure projects, Arunachal Pradesh must move a step further by developing a State-specific, AI-enabled application tailored to its unique geographical and local needs.
He said that such an integrated, user-friendly system would improve coordination among departments, eliminate duplication of efforts and ensure faster, more transparent and responsive governance.
The Governor also underlined that the proposed State-specific platform would significantly strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s security architecture. He said it could help map and analyse drug-trafficking routes, support continuous border surveillance in remote areas and enable real-time intelligence sharing among agencies.
It would also aid in airspace monitoring, cross-border coordination and tracking of suspicious movements, besides assisting in asset tracking and seizure operations, thereby enabling law enforcement agencies to act with greater efficiency and confidence.
He added that this integrated approach would ultimately help protect the State’s youth, communities and long international borders, making geospatial technology a critical foundation for Arunachal Pradesh’s future growth, security and good governance.
The four-day event is being organised by Geospatial Media and Communications.