IIITM-K initiates active web GIS

Kerala's first active web geographical information system (GIS) service in public domain, developed using the free and open source software (FOSS) technology, has gone on stream.

Initiated by the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management - Kerala (IIITM-K), the active web GIS aims at making dynamic geographical information available in a simplified, open web interface.

According to K R Srivathsan, director, IIITM-K, the publication and distribution of spatial data are becoming increasingly important for scientific and business organisations to make smart decisions. By logging on to www.edugrid.ac.inwebgis, visitors can access state-wide dynamic weather information and a week's forecast that is updated every three hours. The site also provides thematic maps of Kerala and advanced fly-through of 3D topography.

In an active web GIS, the geographic objects or attributes are powered by dynamic database systems that represent the changes in the real world. Thus, it allows the visualisation of dynamic data in a natural geographic setting, he said.

The significance of the active web GIS comes into play when the location-specific information is dynamic and decisions have to be made on a real-time basis. It has a role to play in e-governance as e-governance applications use a large volume of geographical information.