ENVIS should get feedback from users: Official

Hyderabad, Jan 2 (UNI) Statistical adviser to Environment and Forests Ministry S P Sharma today suggested that the World Bank sponsored ENVIS (Environment Information System) network should take necessary steps to get the feedback from their users in determining the degree of their utilisation of information contained in the website.

Inaugurating 'Evaluation Workshop for the Thematic ENVIS centres in Southern region' held at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here, Mr Sharma said ENVIS should take necessary steps to create awareness about their existence among the user groups in order to make it user friendly and to increase user growth.

Pointing out that there were information gaps with regard to bio-diversity, he said there was a need to carry out diversified research in all related disciplines.

Compiling subject-wise databases on different aspects would help the users a lot, he added.

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Director Lalji Singh said environment had become a major concern in the country.

He said global warming was affecting the flora and fauna which would have an adverse impact on humanity in future.

IICT Director J S Yadav pointed out that the information collected by ENVIS was not reaching the masses at the right time.

He said environmental information system was important to educate the people.

ENVIS centres have been set up in the areas of pollution control, toxic chemicals, central and off shore ecology, bio-degradation of wastes and environment management.

UNI AP VA ROY PJ PM1516