Background
The Geoinformatics Division was established in 1987 under the Survey of Bhutan as Reproduction and Printing Division. It was one of the biggest Divisions then, fully equipped with reproduction and offset printing equipments. Due to the rapid development of technologies it has transformed from conventional to digital environment.
Mandates and functions of Geoinformatics Division
Mandates
Management of national spatial database and Production of maps.
Functions
- Processing and publications of topographical maps of various scales
- Design and standardize layouts, symbols, and data specifications for all scales/types of
maps - Maintain and update existing Topographical database
- Build and maintain a cartographic database
- Produce soft and hard copy administrative maps
- Digitization and Cartographic treatment of Topographic and thematic maps
- Develop and maintain georeferenced geographical names in the database
- Compilation, cartographic processing, and production of thematic and indented maps
- Sales and sharing of geospatial data.
Core products and services
Products
- Lagthram based maps
- Topographic base maps
- Thematic maps (Guide maps, historical maps, communication maps)
- Atlas of Bhutan
Services
- Compile, code and standardize the data for geo-portal through CGISC
Customers
Internal
i. Topographic Division
ii. Cadastral Information
iii. Urban Land Division
iv. Rural land Division
v. International Boundary Cell
vi. Policy and Planning Services
External
i. Land owners
ii. Thromdes
iii. Agencies/Ministries
iv. Consultants/Projects
v. Individual Tourist
vi. Students and educational institutes
Mode of service delivery
Map Production Division seeks the formal approval of Surveyor General to issue or sell the maps and data. In case of data, the indenter is asked to provide the area of interest and the amount of details.
The delivery of maps and data depends on the request of the indenter and its either analogue copies or digital copies in their specified formats.
Key stakeholders
i. Topographical Division
ii. Cadastral Information Division
Strengths, weakness, challenges in delivering the services and products
Strength
- Existing digital cartographic data
- Experienced existing technicians
- Existing technical facilities
- Well oriented staff to changing technology
- Good teamwork and coordination
Weaknesses
- Insufficient qualified staff
- Under qualified staff
- Limited working space
- Unavailability of hardware and software, service centers and knowledge base in the local market
- Lack of human resource succession planning
Challenges
- Lack of proactive approach
- Having to cope with rapidly changing technologies with no training budget
Linkage of service/products to the overall vision, mission of NLC
Enhance good governance and develop informed society