Annual Report 2006-2007

Science and Technology Programmes for Socioeconomic Development

The department has been playing a pivotal role in promotion of Science and Technology for socioeconomic development. Flagship programmes under the societal initiative are Science and Society programmes, Special scheme for Tribal populations and Scheduled castes, Technology and Entrepreneurship Development, Science communication and popularization and state S&T programme. A major focus of these programmes has been referencing of technologies to the social contexts in which these technologies need to perform, replication of technologies in states through synergy with state S&T councils, active promotion of entrepreneurship based on technology and attracting and nurturing young talent to science and nurturing a scientific temper among citizens of our country.

Science & Technology Application Programme

Science & Technology Application for Rural Development (STARD)

The scheme aims at development, demonstration and adaptation of relevant and appropriate technologies/ replicable models for empowering rural population and improving quality of life in rural areas through time bound action research projects.

I. Core support to Science and Technology based Field Groups: As an ongoing activity, core support was extended to eleven science based organizations to nurture S & T personnel to take up challenges to work on rural problems. These groups spread in different geographical locations, are working on location specific problems with proper interface and support from relevant S & T institutions/laboratories and local community. The groups are engaged in developing cost effective technological solutions in farm as well as non farm sectors ranging from natural resource management, housing, renewable energy, agriculture & post harvest processing, rural engineering with a possibility for micro-enterprise development at the village level. One of the core supported group based in Trivandrum, Kerala has been able to develop cost-effective rotary sand sieve model which has helped local masons to reduce drudgery involved in the traditional method of manual sieving. This group is also working on developing and testing a prototype of motor added pedal for Jacquard Loom for reducing the drudgery and reduced working time. The proposed model uses motor power to lift the Jacquard hooks which carry the warps and relieves the weaver from much of the physical strain of operating a machine. Besides, a patent has

Lost cost sand sieve and Prototype of motor aided pedal for Jacquard loom

been filed in collaboration with RRL, Trivandrum for a cost effective rubber sheet dryer ideal for rural areas.

II.1 Technology Intervention in Mountain Ecosystem (TIME) Programme: Under this innovative programme, specific projects were supported in different mountain regions to improve livelihoods of mountain community by involving them in managing natural resources and through value addition. Under a project on Watershed Management in the Pali Gram Sabha of Chamba Block, Ranichauri in Uttaranchal local villagers were trained in soil and water conservation measures, polyhouse cultivation, community plantation of economic crops (snow pea, Geranium) on wasteland through innovations in the agro-horticultural practices, and adopting multi-crop system and composting techniques. With construction of water canal structure and irrigation facilities through the project, better moisture retention capacity was reported in the area leading to improved agricultural productivity. The emphasis on diversification with integration of various components for improved productivity and value addition has brought a visible change at project sites.

Water storage and conservation measures at Pali village, Ranichauri, Uttaranchal: Addressing irrigation and self-use needs.

Projects supported:

• Soil and Water Conversation in Thod Muth Catchment in Rajgarh Area of Himachal Pradesh as a Model Watershed.
• Sustainable livelihood and resource conservation through eco-restorative farming and appropriate technology transfer in the hilly district Wayanad, Kerala.
• Base Flow Water Harvesting from Shivaliks of Smah in Akhnoor, Dist Jammu, J&K.
• Planting stock improvement of some indigenous fuelwood and fodder tree species for higher biomass production in relevance to hilly region of Garhwal Himalaya.
• Vermicomposting and its application in rural agricultural development: A socio-biological study in Papumpare district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Use of native bio-resources in hills for the management of important diseases of strawberry.
• Commercial cultivation of Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) at Zimthung, Dirang valley, West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh.

II.2 Coordinated Research Programme on Biological Integration of Farming Activities & Resource

Management (BIOFARM) for resource poor small farmers is being implemented at 18 locations spread across different agro-ecological regions of the country to develop biological resource integrated model farms for improving nutritional and livelihood security of the marginal farmers. In second year of implementation of this programme, work is in progress to study the resource flow and economic efficacy of the experiments being carried out at 15-20 small farmer's farms at each location by integrating various farming practices/components and sub-components for improvement in whole farm productivity and income. At one of the location in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, 15 farmers have adopted multicropping system, Azolla culture, bio-composting linked with bio-gas system and backyard gardening.

Integrated farming practices like multi-cropping system, livestock development, water management etc. being optimized & adopted in participatory mode under CPBIOFARM to sustain the productivity and better income at small farm levels.

III. Individual Projects

III.1. Specific Achievements:

• Development of charring and briquetting technology package by Development Alternatives, New Delhi utilizing invasive waste biomass like lantana and Ipomea.
• Development of portable multi-purpose pump by NB Institute of Rural Technology, Tripura which can supply 20lit/min petrol or diesel or water. This system designed with metering arrangement on rickshaw van will be of immense utility to meet local needs in rural areas for small irrigation or for cooking and lighting purposes. The capacity of the tank attached with the pump is 300liter.

• Development of nursery technology with bio-fertilizer packages using VAM fungi and plant growth promoting Rhizo-microorganisms (PGPRs) with multi-locational trials for regeneration of degraded forest and waste lands essentially for tree species Acacia auriculiformis, Tectona grandis and Dalbergia sissoo. The complete package developed by Centre for Natural Biological Resources and Community Development (CNBRCD), Bangalore has been demonstrated to farmers and village forest community who are using biofertilizer packages to grow forest tree species in Mandya Dist., Karnataka involving Karnataka State Department of Forest.
• Optimization and demonstration of biomass gasifier engine system with technical support from IIT, Delhi under field conditions by NERI, Rohtak. This eco-friendly system runs on 100% producer gas to meet the irrigation needs of the farmers as well as utilities for electric power production for rural industries. It is reported that under this system, 3 Kg to 3.5 Kg of locally available biomass replaces one liter of diesel.

Biomass Gasifier Engine System (runs on 100% producer gas).

• Development and demonstration of domestic de-fluoridation unit (DDU) by Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) Bangalore to treat 15 liters of fluoride-contaminated water at individual household level. The method is non-toxic and it does not involve any recharge process and thus avoids generation of corrosive and toxic wastes. This treatment method has been found to be robust method that can treat fluoride-contaminated groundwater independent of geochemical conditions. It has been successfully demonstrated at the field level in Kolar Dist., Karnataka. The treatment cost is reported to be 20-30 paise/liter. The user community has reported perceivable health benefits by consuming the treated water. Sludge produced by the method is being re-cycled in environment friendly manner in building application like stabilized bricks and blocks making.

Domestice De-fluoridation Unit (DDU) developed by IISc, Bangalore

• Dharamitra, a science based NGO at Wardha, Maharashtra has been able to optimize a technology package for post harvest management of banana stem waste to make value added products in decentralized way. The package has shown potential to establish a production unit in banana growing areas for production of hard boards. The group is also making efforts on lamination of hard boards with better finish and market acceptability.

Fibre boards made from Banana Stem waste.

• Training and empowerment of farmers from six villages around Gandhigram by Gandhigram Trust, Didigul, TN in cultivation and processing of important aromatic plants suitable to area (Palmarosa and Oscium sanctum, "basil") for income generation by providing technical know how on agrotechnologies and setting up of distillation unit (0.5 ton capacity).

III.2.New projects supported: During the year, 18 individual projects were supported to S&T based field groups and institutions to implement time bound technology based projects to benefit and empower rural community in different parts of the country. Some specific projects supported under this scheme are:

• Building a model Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) at Bengutia Village, West Bengal for the economical, energy efficient and environment friendly manufacture of bricks.
• Field trial for the finding out possibilities of use of fly ash in clay vitreous floor tiles.
• Development of LED - DC lightening for rural areas.
• Utilization of multipurpose trees and shrubs through homestead and community plantation for socioeconomic development of flood affected areas of Assam.
• Integrated farming system development and resource management for shifting cultivators in Mizoram.
• Gaildubba Watershed Project for better Land and Water Management in Block Tamia, District Chhindwara.
• Utilization of economic potential of Lantana camara.
• Bio-Integration farming activities and resource management (BIOFARM) for small and marginal farmers in Loshing Paeheykrani, East Sikkim.

During the year, under STARD scheme 56 projects (individual as well as under coordinated programme) were monitored involving expert groups in three separate Group Monitoring cum Sensitization workshop organized at Shillong, Meghalaya; Trivandrum, Kerala and Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Science & Technology Application for the Weaker Sections (STAWS)

The scheme Science & Technology Application for the Weaker Sections (STAWS) is aimed at the development of economically weaker sections of the society in both rural and urban areas. It focuses attention on specific S&T inputs for improvement of rural artisans, landless labourers, etc. Emphasis is placed on multi-sectoral approach incorporating original ideas based on locally available resources and incorporating the direct beneficiary groups in decision-making.

Major initiatives under the scheme:

1. Integrated Village Development

On completion of fifty years of independence of the country, projects for integrated development of villages at various locations were initiated. Holistic and integrated development of the project area with the judicious use of available natural, human, livestock resources through S&T based solutions was the thrust in these projects. About fifteen such projects were launched. Highlights of technical inputs under some of the completed projects are development of Slivering & Stick Making Machine, polymer coating for better look and increased shelf life of Bamboo products, utilization of locally available minor forest produce for value addition and scientific packaging, up gradation of local animal breeds, water shed management for water conservation and minor irrigation, cover management nursery management, skill upgradation of women and artisans, promotion of milk production and processing , upgradation of local handlooms, introduction of field horticulture crops, diversification of cropping pattern using improved practices, low-cost appropriate technologies was created by the introduction of stabilized mud block (SMB).Such projects have successfully been completed at Ghoradongri Block Distt. Betul, (M.P.), Shalla village block Chachyot district Mandi (H.P.), village Dhakuali, Distt. Fatehpur (UP), village Ganapati (Maharastra), village Karchond Distt. Valsad (Gujarat), village Khadagpur, Distt. Koraput (Orissa)

Silvering and stick making machine used by villagers

Income generating activities by villagers- pig rearing.

Livelihood generation by weaving and kulh construction at village-Shalla

II. Coordinated Programmes

A number of coordinated programmes have been generated based on successful development of technology packages and implementation of pilot scale projects. These programmes were conceived with an idea to test the viability of pilot scale technology models under different socio-economic conditions in different agroclimatic regions of the country, and at the same time to create impact in the countryside.

II.1 Non-Edible Oils (NEO)

A coordinated programme was taken up for gainful utilization of NEO bearing plants by women and forest dwellers. Under this programme, a generic technology package is proposed to be adapted, tested and optimized under diverse field conditions through system approach. The programme is being implemented at seven locations involving select group of science-based NGOs in diverse regions viz.-Mandi (H.P.), Medinipur (W.B.), Chhindwara (M.P.), Aizwal (Mizoram), Kharagpur (W.B.), Dehradun (Uttaranchal), and Kanyakumari (T.N.), under the coordination of CTD, New Delhi.

II.2 S&T based Action Projects in Tsunami Affected Areas

Six projects have been supported for intervention programmes on livelihood regeneration, trauma counseling and infrastructure support in tsunami affected areas involving different institutes and S&T based voluntary organizations. The goal is to create some model S&T interventions for a cluster of villages through infrastructure support in about 10-15 villages affected by the tsunami, which struck the Indian coast in 2004. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, has been given the role of providing technical backup to the involved voluntary organizations in carrying out soil and water related activities.

III. Individual projects

During this period, fifteen action oriented projects of multi-sectoral nature have been supported covering the subject areas of horticulture, biodiversity, medicinal plant cultivation, aquaculture, fisheries, animal husbandry, sustainable agriculture, rural engineering and health and sanitation, etc. These projects are being implemented in different parts of the country focusing on appropriate and cost effective technology modulation and transfer, based on location specific needs/conditions.

• A project was initiated on developing a Management Information System (MIS) for the completed projects
  at SSD, with the aim to identify from among these projects, the best practices, innovations and factors
  contributing to greater sustainability and replicability of projects.
  
• A project on promotion of urban home herbal gardens and popularization of Indigenous Systems of Health-care was initiated in Pune.

Decentralized expansion of nursery for medicinal plants	Herbal formulations using existing medicinal plants

IV. Projects on technology demonstration

• A new project was supported with intervention programme on exploring the efficacy of water filters based on membrane filtration technology, developed by NCL with financial support from DST. For dissemination of above water filters in remote rural areas, M/s Membrane Filters (I) Pvt. Ltd. Pune was given financial support for installation of 150 water filter units in different regions of the country to provide safe drinking water to the target population. Inspired by the initial response of this pilot project, and based on the request of the state governments of Nagaland & Arunachal Pradesh, 520 units of this filter have been installed in Kohima/Mokokchung district (Nagaland), Ruskin Division (East Siang District) & Dirang Block of Arunachal Pradesh and also at selected locations of Indian Army units establishment. The objective is to assess the impact of the newly developed technology on the health, through reduction in water born diseases in the two States.

Water filter units at selected locations in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland

V. New Initiatives

• An initiative involving active participation of the students and teachers of selected Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) in action projects for rural development using S&T based solutions has been conceived. To begin with, principals/vice-principals and teachers from 16 JNVs were invited for a brain storming cum sensitization meeting to apprise them about the objectives of the new programme. A format for collecting base line information from project areas based on village surveys was developed and given to these participants to develop concept notes, which will ultimately lead to development of full scale intervention strategy.
• Activities on spreading scientific literacy and awareness and educating scheduled tribes and backward communities to understand their legal rights on bioresources continues in the states of Jharkhand and Uttrakhand.
• As a proactive measure a programme on S&T application for the elderly population in the country is being developed with a focus on selected areas- health and nutritious food, designs, networking and recreation & entertainment. Preliminary consultation meetings with subject specialists and users groups have been conducted for the different theme areas.
• A project on telemedicine application in rural areas has been initiated with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), New Delhi. The aim is to provide free tertiary consultation to rural population and weaker sections of the society by making modern health care available to the population by setting up 3 medical kiosks at selected villages in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The project is designed to be a joint venture of SGRH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), ISRO and DST, and the DST's contribution for the above multi-agency project is specifically meant for providing the equipment for medical kiosks.

Applying S&T for solving societal problems Scheme for Committed Young Professional

To enthuse young scientists to apply their expertise to issues relevant to society action research projects are granted to young scientists (upper age limit of 35 years for men, 40 years for women) with the objective of (a) attempting a field implementation of an idea, or (b) developing new techniques for solving problems which do not have clear solutions at present. Young scientists' are encouraged to pursue innovative research ideas, which have direct bearing on social problems in selected voluntary organizations, academic institutions or research laboratories.

During the year under reference eight projects were sanctioned under this scheme. Highlights of some of the projects are given below:

• A research project based on income generation through biomass charcoal briquetting work is being implemented at Kanathur and Thiruvidanthai villages in coastal region near Chennai where Casuarina leaf litter is available abundantly as waste biomass. These wastes can provide a renewable energy source if converted into high-density fuel briquettes. The moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon content and biochemical properties of the biomass viz. cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, crude fiber, content have been estimated. The selected biomass has been carbonized at different temperatures ranging from 200 C to 400 C and the charcoal yield registered. Two different types of kilns have been fabricated at Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC) and tested for their efficiency on charcoal yield in a laboratory scale. Hand operated biomass briquetting mould has also been fabricated with locally available materials to prepare the charcoal briquettes. Ultimate analysis, calorific value of biomass and briquettes and beneficiary selection works are under progress.

Hand operated briquetting Mould fabricated by MCRC

• A project, on exploring the potential of different seaweed species as an additional income to the Shrimp farmers through exploitation of their economic values in addition to controlling pollution in the farms is being implemented. In this project nine species are being studied Chaetomorpha antennina, Enteromorpha flexuosa, Valoniopsis pachynema, Sargassum sp., Laurencia obtusa, Acanthophora spicifera and Gracilaria edulis. Agar yielding seaweeds are been used in these studies. Gracilaria verrucosa was cultivated in shrimp aquaculture pond waste water under laboratory conditions and periodically evaluated its growth and nutrients uptake. Gracilaria verrucosa co-cultivated with Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in the laboratory condition favoured high biomass and utilized maximum amount of nutrients. Agar-agar was extracted from dried seaweed of Gracilaria verrucosa and estimated it's gel strength, melting temperature and gelling temperature, ash and sulphate contents.Standerdization Protocol for conversion of waste seaweed biomass (after extraction of agar-agar) into vermicompost is in progress.
• In a project being implemented at North - east, traditional pest management practices among the indigenous tribes practicing shifting cultivation is being documented and validated.

Completed Projects

During the year, 5 projects were completed successfully. Some of the achievements are as follows:

• Under a project implemented at Jammu & Kashmir, various studies and experiments were conducted for control of Fusarium corn rot of saffron by using bio-agents and fungicides.
• A detailed participatory mapping of wells and farms in the East Palaguttapalli Panchayat, Pakala Mandal, Chittor district, A.P. was undertaken using GPS / GIS and involving youth and farmers. The withdrawal of ground water for water - intensive agriculture and recharge from rainfall over the decades were computed and compared.

Under the Tribal Sub Plan Scheme, location specific and need-based projects are supported for socioeconomic upliftment of tribal communities. In the year twelve new projects have been sanctioned with emphasis on creating a sustainable livelihood base through use of locally available resources and materials. These projects have been implemented in tribal areas in different parts of the country focusing on appropriate and cost effective technology modulation and transfer, based on location specific needs and technological empowerment in related occupations of tribal sections of the society. Details of some projects are given below:-

• In a project on development of low cost natural dyes from indigenous forest produce being implemented in Maharastra printing techniques with fresh leaves, Kasim line printing and screen printing have been

Leaf Printing Techniques

developed exclusively for khadi cotton and silk. Protocol for premordanting, printing and post dyeing has also been standardized. Training has been imparted to tribal women in these techniques and in preparing value added articles from the fabric. A cleaning liquid based on soap nut extract has been developed for washing natural dyed clothes.

• Technique for Scientific Tapping of Sterculia urens trees for better quantity and quality of gum has been developed and standardized. Tribal gum pickers in East Godavari & Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh were trained in sustainable & suitable scientific and eco-friendly method of blazing the trees for augmenting gum production and tree conservation. The outcome of the project has been the standardization of tapping technology, development of best practices for quantity improvement in gums to provide better returns to tribal gum collectors.
• In a project on cost-effective water harvesting techniques to augment groundwater regime by artificial recharge of open and bore wells at farm level in tribal villages of Mettupalayam taluk in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, a cost effective water harvesting technique and filtering mechanisms for dug wells was used for ground water recharge. The process developed mainly focuses at the optimal mix of scientific and traditional skills to improve the ground water regime in selected villages in the foothills of Western Ghats thereby increasing the water available to tribal farmers for irrigation.
• Tribal women of Palaya and Manan of Idukki dist. were trained in cost effective technologies of quail rearing to include cage construction, incubator operation and brooding. Low cost cages for quail using bamboo were designed and training imparted to tribals to produce these cages. A low cost incubator unit made by a local innovator was tested at the central hatchery with resulted in 40% to 60% hatching. Feeding trials for incorporation of Azolla in quail feed was done and Azolla incorporation up to 10% level in feed was found to be optimal for growth.
• Upgradation of water mill and introduction of technology for water mill run wool carding and spinning has been developed for Bhutia tribal population of Uttaranchal. This project aims at improvement of traditional water mill for efficiency enhancement and introduction of wool carding and spinning machines that will operate through the water mill. The project is being implementing in two villages in district Uttarkashi. Modifications in the water mills are improved water harvesting from resources, canalization of water to water mill, change in penstroke, introduction of new runner, introduction of pullies and shafts for efficiency enhancement appropriate for running wool carding and spinning machines.
  
• In a Coordinated programme on medicinal plants cultivation semi processing for health and livelihood security being implemented with 13 NGO partners in seven states of the southern peninsula Community health knowledge registers have been prepared, the supply line for raw material has been secured through sustainable collection and cultivation and preparation of select formulations have been standardized. The phase two of the programme is now being conceived.

Future Programmes

A programme on "Institutionalizing technology backstopping & capacity enhancement for sustainable agricultural development and encouraging entrepreneurship development based on simple rural technologies within the tribal areas of North East India" has been sanctioned in the North-East. The programme will be implemented at 7 locations in the North-East and will be coordinated by G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

Another programme on livelihood generation of tribals in areas around National parks and sanctuaries is being planned to address the livelihood, energy and health issues of tribal communities at 10-12 locations and will be coordinated by WWF, New Delhi.

Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) for the Development of Scheduled Caste Population

As part of the societal initiatives, the department has supported specific projects with the application of science and technology for the empowerment of scheduled caste population. The thrust is on promotion and development of innovative technology as well as improvement in existing technology for the benefit of the poor, underdeveloped landless labour of scheduled caste population.

During the current year Twenty two projects were sanctioned in areas such as alternative vocation for income generation, rural engineering and micro enterprise development, sustainable utilization of natural resources and value addition, mechanized processing of bamboo furniture and product applications, diversified cropping systems, agro technology for improving the land use, fisheries, organic cultivation of vegetables and other horticultural plants, modern sericulture practices from mulberry cultivation to silk weaving, value addition in banana fibres etc.

A few representative projects which have made visible impact on the well being of the poor scheduled caste population are as under:-

• 120 women of the SC community in TN have been trained in quality fibre extraction techniques of banana in order to use the waste from banana to manufacture quality cloth and paper and also to revive the art of banana fibre extraction and utilization. The comprehensive training package includes natural dye extraction, weaving, designing and all other processes related to weaving such as weft preparation, wrap developing, drafting of healds etc. The pilot study in fiber extraction reveals that the fibre from the banana commonly known as Nendrangai, (Musa acuminate) yielded the highest fibre per stem and also had sufficient tensile strength and flexibility to manufacture a fibre comparable to the Japanese quality.
• The project, "Scientific method of Mulberry sapling production technology to scheduled caste farmers and development of entrepreneurship" is being implemented at three districts of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, Salem and Erode. Under this project, skill up-gradation training is being imparted in improved techniques to increase the leaf production through evolving new high yielding elite varieties. The production cost works out to be Rs.0.50 per sapling and selling price is Rs.1.25/- with a CBR ratio of 2.50. In each district 400 sq. meters of land used for sapling will be sufficient for one acre for plantation purpose.
• Skill development training programme for SC youth is being organized at R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore. The training includes testing and analyzing of exhaust emission from vehicles, actual valve timing, concept of ignition timing, importance of emission testing, usage of computer, scanner, printer, etc. The youth trained, after completion of training, can generate their own resources either by way of gainful employment or by setting up own emission testing centres.

In another project 128 Scheduled Caste women from 10 villages of Uttaranchal have been trained in offseason vegetable cultivation using poly-house technique and charring & briquetting using available biomass like lantana and other weeds and agro waste.

Some of the successfully Completed projects

Floriculture industry for small & marginal SC farmers to take up cut flower cultivation; Development of clean fuel from wastes; application of computer skills in traditional zari and embroidery; advanced technology packages viz. Bamboo and Ethel products making; Fibre & coir products making and pottery products preparation to SC people for income generation; technical training for skill development on Plastics Technology.

Future Programme

A coordinated programme on "Resource management and development for the empowerment of Scheduled Castes in hilly regions of the country" is planned to commence soon. The main objective was to identify the problems of Scheduled Caste community of the mountain areas and provide them a common platform to discuss their problems. Voluntary organizations working for SC community from the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttaranchal participated in the workshop. The programme will be carried out with a standardized methodology in 10 different centres of the States of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttaranchal for three years.

Website: www.scienceandsociety-dst.org

Policy related Issues

Report of the Committee set up by the Planning Commission on Technology Innovation and Venture Capital

The report of the Committee of Planning Commission on Technology Innovation and Venture Capital, July 2006 has clearly brought out the need of inculcating entrepreneurship and setting up of technology business incubators for nurturing new technology based and knowledge driven start ups. It has recommended that all technical institutions and science department under AICTE and UGC to include entrepreneurship and new venture management courses in their curricula. It has also recommended that all leading institutions should set up technology incubators to provide advisory services to the budding entrepreneurs, to host enterprises at the seed stage by offering space and other facilities of a short time and to forge links with entrepreneurs, alumni and venture funds. The committee has also recommended that these incubators in education institutions should be exempted from the tax as long as they use returns for further innovation/ entrepreneurship development.

Union Budget announcement 2006 for incubates on Technology business incubators

Realizing the catalytic role played by incubators and the need to enhance the effectiveness of incubator services to enable entrepreneurs to overcome the financial constraints during initial period, the Hon'ble Finance Minister in his budget speech for 2006 has announced enabling fiscal concessions for incubatees in the incubators supported by the Department. The fiscal concessions for incubators and incubatees are under active consideration by the Finance Ministry.

NSTEDB aims to foster entrepreneurship among S&T persons through structured training programmes nd application of S&T tools and methods to generate technology-based entrepreneurship. The objective is o promote knowledge based technology driven enterprises of high growth nature. Apart from core focus on &T personnel, programmes have also been running to seed the entrepreneurial temper and empower latest echnological skills amongst the unemployed youth in the sub-urban and rural/tribal areas. During the year 006-2007, the board continued to pursue and strengthen its existing activities/programmes, in addition to onceptualizing and initiating new projects.

The Board has also initiated programmes jointly with International organizations like UNDP on vocational raining. This has broadened the scope and content of entrepreneurship development activities and brought n the international expertise for socio-economic upliftment.

National S&T Entrepreneurship Promotion Programmes:

1. Institutional Mechanism:

Technology Business Incubator (TBI)

In the knowledge economy, mechanisms such as Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) have assumed reater significance and relevance as they nurture and support knowledge driven start-ups into successful nterprises, in additional to catering to the technological needs of the SME sector of the industry. The rogramme on TBIs initiated by the Department in the year 2000-2001, gained major thrust in the Tenth five ear Plan.

Establishment of new TBIs in 2006-07:

A. Periyar Maniammai College of Technology for Women, Vallam, Thanjavur

Periyar Maniammai College of Technology for Women is the first technical institution exclusively for the women established at Vallam, Thanjavur dist. Tamil Nadu in 1988. About 300 women engineers and architect, graduate from the institution every year. The proposed TBI will focus on herbal health products particularly based on the medicinal plants such as Amla, Aloe, Stevia, Neem and Bhumi Amlaki. The activities under the thrust area will include propagation of suitable agro techniques, manufacture of herbal health products, testing and consultancy EDP (Entrepreneurship Development Programme) and general training programmes, technology transfer and new entrepreneurs promotion. The location of the institute is in Cauvery Delta Region which is primarily agriculture oriented. The TBI would motivate a purely farm community to become agri-entrepreneurs with application of biotechnology and to direct the dynamism of active women in the region into entrepreneurship. The proposed TBI will primarily target women S&T graduates to take up entrepreneurship.

B. Shriram Institute for Industrial Research (SRII), Delhi

A Technology Business incubator has been approved to be established at SRII, focusing on Plastics and Rubbers, specialty chemicals and formulations and waste management. SRII has a vast experience of 55 years in industrial R&D as well as trouble shooting consultancy. The TBI aims to strengthen the technological capabilities of industry located in the region both for meeting domestic and global needs. The TBI will also nurture new entrepreneurs by providing techno commercial guidance.

ICICI Knowledge Park-Life Sciences Incubator, Hyderabad

Fostering linkages of Indian Incubators with Global Incubators: Organization of 2nd Global Forum on Business Incubation: November 6-10, 2006, Hyderabad

The 2nd Global Forum on Business Incubation, focusing on Empowering Economies through ICT, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, gathered organizations from around the globe to exchange knowledge and ideas on how the combination of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), innovation and entrepreneurship can drive competitiveness and wealth creation in developing country economies. The event was successfully organized with active collaboration from infoDev Program of World Bank and the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The event drew more than 170 delegates from 74 countries, including representatives of the public, private, academic and not-for-profit sectors. The event provided an opportunity to-

• network with other participants to informally exchange ideas and explore opportunities for partnership
• learn from the achievements and lessons of infoDev's Global Network of Incubators
• attend training sessions designed to increase the capacity of incubator managers, and
• initiate plans of action for regional and global networks of organizations seeking to promote ICT-enabled entrepreneurship and innovation.

Study on Business potential on European Union (EU)-India Business Incubation Partnerships:

A study on EU-India business incubation partnership has been carried out by Tiruchirappalli Regional Engineering College - Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Park (TREC-STEP) under the EU funded small project facility framework. The study involved three partner countries from EU namely, United Kingdom Business Incubation (UKBI), German Technology and Business Incubation Association (ADT) and Swedish Incubation and Science Park Association (SiSP). Nearly 100 business incubation managers from India have participated in the specially designed training interaction modules. This has resulted in preparing the ground for promoting cross cultural ventures through EU India Business Incubation networks. The study has particularly focused on sectoral preference and the potential of university technologies for promotion of cross cultural ventures. Regarding the sectoral preference ICT, Electronics, manufacturing and biotech were perceived as having more opportunity. The study has also addressed issues like requirement of soft landing facilities and venture launch platforms for venture promotion. India being an upcoming economy in global landscape there is a positive spirit for business incubation corporation network and nearly 52% of the startups have evinced interest in cross border operations. However more in depth study and policy measures would be required for cross cultural venture promotion. As a part of study, a conference on incubating NEXT (New Exiting Technology Ventures) was organized in Trichy during June 26-28 , 2006.

DST-Intel India Innovation Challenge 2006

This Department, in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative had partnered with Intel for organizing a Business Plan Competition for various categories. The unique feature of this Business Plan Competition was, all though the innovative ideas were recognized and awarded the ownership of the ideas remained with the individuals.

Out of the two teams which participated in the Global Business Plan Competition, one has secured second position and the other has generated lot of business interest and Venture Capitalists have shown interest to fund the start up. These companies are in the areas of technology driven innovative ventures producing artificial flowers which look and feel like real flowers (M/S Richcore) and Cyber Security (M/S iViz).

India is the only country from which two teams reached the finals.

Science & Technology Entrepreneurs Park (STEP)

STEP is an ongoing scheme promoted by NSTEDB to provide re-orientation in approach to innovation and entrepreneurship involving education, training, research, finance, management, etc. It creates a conducive environment for innovation, sharing of ideas, experience & facilities and opens up avenues for students, teachers, researchers and industrial managers for starting a successful economic venture. Each STEP operates in the identified thrust area based on the expertise, facilities of the institution and the industrial milieu of the region.

Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC)

EDCs have been promoted by NSTEDB in educational institutions to create entrepreneurial culture in the parent institution and other institutions in the region and to act as an institutional mechanism for providing information and assistance to budding S&T entrepreneurs. About 40 EDCs are currently operational.

Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED) Project

STED Project aims to bring socio-economic development in a region by promoting the entrepreneurial temper and motivating the unemployed youth for establishing micro enterprise based on innovative skills and technology. The project involves a detailed scientific survey of a selected district/region for identification of opportunities, matching of the material and the human resources of the region and usage of Science & Technology inputs for efficient utilisation of the opportunities. With the support to 39 STED Projects in the current financial year 2006-07, it is expected to establish more than 2200 micro-enterprises / units all over the country. Seven new projects were established in Amritsar (Punjab), Bogaigaon (Assam), Karim Nagar (Andhra Pradesh), Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu) and Vadodara (Gujarat).

Power Laundry Unit established by Jayam Women Self Help Group, Pilliyarpatti Panchayat, Thanjavur Block, Tamilnadu. (unit established through efforts of STED project in Thanjavur district)

2. Trainings

Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps (EAC)

Entrepreneurship Awareness Camp (EAC) is conducted in the premises of an academic institution to create awareness amongst students of the college about various facets of entrepreneurship and the merits of pursuing it as a career option. These camps are organized by educational institution or professional bodies specialising in entrepreneurship development. It also provides an opportunity to the students to interact with various experts in industry and banking. During the year, over 300 EACs have been organized, thereby exposing about 25,000 students to the concept of entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP)

The Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) is an important innovative break-through in the strategy for developing human resources for promoting economic progress in India as well as in other underdeveloped countries. The EDP is an innovative approach in which those persons who possess certain identifiable qualities of entrepreneurship are counseled, motivated and trained to strengthen their self confidence, seize a business opportunity, initiate an enterprise and be the masters of their own i.e. to become 'entrepreneurs' instead passively waiting for a suitable employment.

An EDP brings about a sound combination of techniques of behavioral psychology, tools of management science and available information on technology with a view to identify entrepreneurs, particularly 'first generation' entrepreneurs, strengthen their achievement motivation and train them in enterprise management so that they can confidently start and successfully run their own business ventures. Further, an EDP also ensures that on completion of the training, the potential entrepreneurs are helped in making loan application, securing available incentives, seeking government approvals, location selection, etc.

During 2006-2007, 38 EDPs were organized with the support of NSTEDB.

Faculty Development Programme (FDP)

Faculty Development Programme (FDPs) are designed to train and develop professionals in entrepreneurship development so that they can further guide and motivate young S&T persons to take up entrepreneurship as a career. FDP has duration of 2 weeks and the programme inputs include process and practice of development of entrepreneurship, personal and interpersonal skills, creativity, problem solving, achievement motivation training, resource and knowledge based inputs. The professionals trained under FDPs are faculty of science/engineering colleges, polytechnics, and entrepreneurship development organizations. During 2006-07, about 45 FDPs were organized with the support of NSTEDB.

Open Learning Programme in Entrepreneurship (OLPE)

The Open Learning Programme in Entrepreneurship (OLPE) provides an opportunity to those persons with S&T background who live in far flanged areas and who do not get a chance to participate in the regular entrepreneurship training programmes. The programme is run in a distant learning mode where candidates are given study material and are regularly counseled by experts during counseling sessions. About 2000 learners were enrolled in the year 2006-07.

Technology Based Entrepreneurship Development Programme (TEDP)

Technology Based Entrepreneurship Development Programme (TEDP) is a programme in which training is given on specific products/technologies/processes, which have commercial viability and which have been developed by R&D labs or other academic institutions. Besides the hands on training, the potential entrepreneurs are given entrepreneurial, motivational and managerial inputs. The duration of this programme is 6-8 weeks depending upon the nature of technology and training needed. The EDP conducting organization can concentrate in a specific discipline of technology and thus can have a more effective control over the programme. The R&D institutions having commercially viable technologies get potential entrepreneurs as its takers and thus ideas/technologies get converted into wealth generating products and services.

During 2006-2007, 57 TEDPs were organized with the support from NSTEDB. Some of the technology areas chosen for transfer to the potential entrepreneurs include CAD/CAM technology, Advanced Welding Technology, Electronics Instrumentation, Bio-Technology, Computer Hardware, Peripherals repair & maintenance etc.

Skill Development Training through Science and Technology (STST)

Skill Development Training through S&T (STST) scheme aims at demonstrating the effectiveness of short term market oriented technical skill training in empowering unemployed youth to earn a sustainable livelihood. The programme is implemented through a network of institutions comprising primarily of academic and technical institutions. More than 8000 persons were trained during the year under report in various skill areas at different locations in the country by over 80 institutions.

Skills and Knowledge for Improved Livelihoods and Living Standards (SKILLS)

National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) is executing SKILLS project supported by UNDP. The salient features of the achievements during the year are as following:-

In partnership with identified private entrepreneurs, three Public Private Partnership (PPP) Centres, two at Nungambakkam and Tambaram in Chennai and one in Bangalore have been successfully established. The Centres are training unemployed youth, in four occupationally focused, short term Programmes - (i) Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning (ii) Electronic Servicing and Maintenance (iii) Computer Hardware Maintenance and (iv) Mobile Phone Servicing. Around 500 youth have been trained at the 3 SKILLS Academies so far.

An extensive survey in the state of Goa to find out the potential trades in the food and beverage sector was conducted. Based on the survey results, competence based curriculum and course material has been prepared for Cuisine; Bakery; Fruit and Vegetable Preservation; and Ready to eat Items. State-of-the-art facilities for imparting skill training in the aforesaid vocations have been established. 134 women, belonging to 'Below Poverty Line' category, have been trained in South Goa. The trainees who have completed their training have already formed Self Help Groups and launched their own products in the market under the Brand name "SUGRAN". Tool kits have already been handed over to all the Self Help Groups. Preparation of manual up to preprint stage on Plant Propagation module is likely to be completed during the year and work is being continued on the Plant Protection Module, Olericulture and Floriculture modules. It is expected that training in horticultural biotechnology under PPP mode would be initiated during the year.

An e-portal on skills (skillindia.com) is being developed under the project. The portal contains several features such as complete courseware for 45 trades including competencies, toolkits etc. The portal can also function as an employment exchange providing information regarding trainees and jobs in market. Other features include institutions offering training programmes, partner institutions, support services etc. The portal will be hosted on the server at National Informatics Centre shortly.

The course material has been prepared on wireless and networking technologies for imparting skill training in these vocations.

3. Information Dissemination

'TIMEIS': Web Portal

TIME IS, www.techno-preneur.net, aims at creating a time and distance independent knowledge-base platform for potential techno-entrepreneurs to help them to retrieve information from a single source. This and website services give potential entrepreneurs a convenient excess to Internet based database regardless of their geographical location. The latest information on Financial, Managerial and Technological inputs has kept the entrepreneurs updated about the ever changing business scenario. This has helped the entrepreneur not only to survive but also remain competitive in the face of stiff competition.

The website is being enriched in terms of content and coverage with regular data updation and infusion of information on technologies from various sources. Consultancy services both on-line and off-line have been introduced to provide the site users to get their queries satisfied. New technology profiles were added and a quiz to check entrepreneurial skill level was also added.

'Science Tech Entrepreneur'

The 'Science Tech Entrepreneur' e-zine is brought out to disseminate information about various aspects of entrepreneurship, technology, finance and management to budding as well as established entrepreneurs which meets the objectives of NSTEDB. The Science Tech Entrepreneur magazine is published as e-zine. This e-magazine is available on the NSTEDB Website namely www.nstedb.com and www.techno-preneur.net.

The Rashtriya Vigyan Evam Prodyogiki Sanchar Parishad (National Council for Science & Technology Communication) has been at the forefront of devising and developing ways and means for taking science to the masses. Development, adaptation, promotion and use of different communication methodologies to achieve better public understanding of science and stimulating scientific temper among masses is encouraged towards this objective.

A variety of well-orchestrated and innovative programmes and activities on different aspects of science and technology communication were accomplished over the period.

Beyond Year of Physics

Appreciating Physics in Everyday Life

As part of continuing the activities to create interest in Physics among the students as well as general public, RVPSP launched a nationwide campaign titled "Appreciating Physics in Everyday Life". The campaign was jointly launched by DST and NCSTC -Network. As part of this initiative, a series of activities for different groups of students and teachers were conceptualized. Over 300 colleges had been selected as resource centers for conducting these activities and undergraduate students were oriented to become resource persons for secondary school students. Intensive motivation programmes had been developed for the secondary school science teachers. Other activities included physics fairs, audio-visual programmes and physics learning camps for undergraduate students in reputed universities and research laboratories. One of the attractions of the campaign was a 80 feet long poster on Turning Points in Physics'.

Rahi Yeh Matwale

"Year of Physics-2005" offered a unique opportunity to communicate basic scientific aspects of the contributions of a number of scientists and how they shaped our lives, promoted the method of science and spread scientific outlook among the people. RVPSP had planned a variety of programmes for scientists, college and university students, teachers, housewives and the general public through active participation of scientists and communicators in government/ non-government organizations/professional academies/ science clubs/research and academic institutions, etc., during the year. In collaboration with AIR, Delhi, RVPSP produced a radio serial in Hindi titled 'Rahi Ye Matwale' in docu-drama format on the work of many Indian Physicists, viz., C V Raman, Meghnad Saha, S Chandrasekhar, J C Bose, D C Kothari, Vikram Sarabhai, G N Ramachandran, Homi Bhabha, Satyendranath Bose among others. The total number of episodes in the serial was 33-26 scripted and 7 interactive, based on feedback from listeners. The serial was launched on 26 February 2006 and broadcast from 64 major stations of Akashvani covering almost the entire country. It was an interactive serial in which about 10,000 listeners, generally college/higher secondary schools and members of science or eco-clubs were registered. These registered listeners were provided with interesting additional information in the form of posters and activity kits suggesting discovery-oriented activities for better understanding of the subject.

Lights and Shades of Science - Science Jamboree

During the "Year of Physics-2005" a nationwide science photography contest was organized by RVPSP through Shri R.R. Mehta Educational Trust, (SRRMET) New Delhi. The response to this contest was very encouraging and photographers, both amateur and professionals, were motivated to look at science & scientific phenomena from different perspectives. As a result 5000 dramatic and stimulating photographs, truly spectacular and breathtaking, were received. It was realized that not only these images could become a magnificent tool to communicate S&T to masses in a unique and artistic manner but could also lead to many other science-based activities. This gave birth to "Lights and Shades of Science- A Science Jamboree" which was organized during 19-28 November 2006 at AIFACS, New Delhi. The objective of this Jamboree was to create a synergy between science and art of photography, to popularize science photography among amateur and professional photographers, students and general masses and to use the platform of science photography to communicate the thrill and wonder of science to the visitors. It was also a unique opportunity for visitors to experience visually, the beauty of science and motivate the colleges to start new science photography clubs or give existing clubs greater importance.

To create an understanding in the prospective participants about the form and the content of the contest and about what would constitute science photography, the competition was broken into five categories. These were: Science in Action, Science as Art, Science Close-Up, Concepts and Science and Society, which carried 13 awards each. The total prize money was Rs.3.50 lakhs. The first prize winners in different categories were; Shri Rajkumar Kishor, Imphal for Science in Action, Shri P. C. Little, Lucknow for Science as Art, Shri Heerak Nandy, Kolkata for Science Close-Up, Shri Sarabajit Sarbjana, Delhi for Concepts and Shri O. P. Soni, Indore for Science and Society.

The final evaluation was done by a jury comprising of eminent personalities from the field of science as well as photography. It was during the screening and jury proceedings that almost every one involved began to realize the tremendous potential of the participating images. The quality of these photographs, both in form and content, is such that it soon became clear this event would not be deemed complete if these images are not showcased to people.

S&T SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT /PRODUCTION/ DISSEMINATION

An international research journal titled 'Indian Journal of Science Communication has been continued and two issues brought out over the period. Publication of Srote, a science features service available inn Hindi is brought out regularly with a weekly frequency- this being perhaps the only feature and news service available in Hindi to cater to the small & medium newspapers. A science wall paper 'Kyon or Kaise' is also being supported to cater to high school & college students.

Two 13 part films on the winners of Children Science Congress entitled 'Ignited Minds' and 'Hum Honge Kamyab' were telecast on Doordarshan. Radio serial in Tamil on women's issues and another in Hindi on polpular science issues was aired on All India Radio.

Knowledge calendars were produced with the help of CIMAP, Lucknow giving information about various medicinal plants. Besides this wall planner for 2007 based on theme 'Vigyan hai Sarvatra'- "Science is Everywhere" were produced by VASCSC, Ahemdabad.

Books in two volumes titled "Science Activities - Do, Enjoy and Learn" containing 100 low cost or no cost experiments each on physical sciences were brought out in collaboration with Association for Research and Training in Basic Science Education, Nagpur. An activity kit with 65 doable experiments on Biological sciences is being developed in association with Assam Science Society, Guwahati. It will cater the long felt need of million of higher secondary students of the country.

Field Based Projects

Micro Organisms: Observe and Learn

The concept of low-cost and easy-to-handle science kit has attracted attention of science communicators all over the country. RVPSP has already developed a few science kits which are becoming popular among teachers and students. The present Module entitled "Microorganisms: Let us Observe and Learn" developed jointly by ASTEC, Guwahati and Botanical Hobby Centre, Cotton College, Guwahati is another step to empower the science communicators to create interest in science among children. The present Module aims at removing the old concept about only the harmful effect of microorganisms prevailing among children and will gradually give way to genuine understanding about the beneficial impact of microorganisms in our environment. These microorganisms can be exploited to our benefit through innovative application in the field of biotechnology, genetic engineering, genomics, pharmaceutics, agriculture and industries. Moreover, children will learn to handle microorganisms without fear. The Module comprises a small microscope, some other tools and materials, a few posters and an audio visual CD along with this Activity Manual. All these are meant for carrying out some open ended experiments described in the Manual and also available in CD format. As most microbiological experiments need sophisticated laboratory facilities, which cannot be made available everywhere, these methods have been simplified without compromising the basic principles.

Teachers' Workshop in Innovative Pedagogy

Multifarious activities are being going on across the nation for liberating the teaching processes from its old traditional lecture method using chalk and talk only in teaching Science and allied subjects to meaningful pedagogy. In this movement, educationists, activists and pedagogy experts have joined hands together. Science Communicator's Forum, Kolkata has introduced hands-on experiments with low-cost materials in the classroom situations in large number of schools across the State. The programme has matured with organization of vacation camps for 5-6 days. Strategically the programme was initiated by holding of vacation camps and then bringing the methodology to the classrooms. This approach activated the mindsets of teachers, students and people at the same time. Introducing the methods in classrooms has become easier. Advanced level activities have been designed on hands-on experiments in Sciences, Mathematics, Social Sciences and Earth science. The approach includes application of method of science involving measurement, calculation, social survey, data collection and analysis. Field study and analysis approaches are made to arrive at a reasonable and feasible conclusion. An advance level teachers' workshop was organized during 13-16 May 2006 at Nitika Seva Kendra, Kolkata. About 140 teachers from different schools of the State participated in the workshop. Several experts conducted the workshop. The workshop was followed by holding vacation camps during summer vacation. All the districts will organize such camps with 70-75 children from 3-4 schools (classes VIII and IX) and in future these schools will form a cluster to implement the processes as envisaged.

Water Resources & Eco-systems Management

This is a nation-wide programme formulated, keeping in view the Post-YSA consolidation of gains in public understanding of scientific issues and solutions. While communicating S&T for generating Awareness and building capacity to decide & innovate, the programme aims to catalyze responsible human behaviour towards hydro-geological cycle, water conservation & quality, and sanitation practices. The programme was developed for target group-specific and location-specific, multidisciplinary, participatory, multi-media based approaches- local interventions which can be further disseminated for addressing wider regional needs. Consequently, it aims at developing regionally nucleating new paradigms, water literate communities & their decision support systems, thereby achieving Regional Resilience related to watershed management and eco-system protection, water conservation, water banking and harvesting, recycling & re-use, water quality monitoring, proper utilization & prevention against water borne diseases, etc. The programme coincides with the UN decade on 'Water for Life', and RVPSP's three year campaign, "Understanding Planet Earth" which coincides with international triennial on Planet Earth.

Conventional & un-conventional methodologies (including demonstrative communication with new S&T solutions & kits, films, demo-docudrama & films, mobile van, people's GIS for mapping water sources, and institutionalization of community mobilization) have been promoted for delivering appropriate messages and awareness of locally managed, cost-effective, innovative solutions & practices to people and building capacity for informed decision making. Development of various learning aids/modules including a film for reaching out and training of resource persons has also been taken up.

During the year RVPSP organized sensitization workshops with experts, science based NGOs, professional societies and State S & T councils for promoting local initiatives. So far western, southern and north-eastern regions have been covered.

Projects for field level interventions, outreach workshops & seminars, and software development have been formulated, promoted and supported for spreading "Eco-Water Literacy" & "Eco-Sanitation Literacy" for all sections of people in the country in select districts of Bihar, A.P., Punjab, U.P., Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, M.P., West Bengal. Interventions for paani panchayats, self help groups, mass sensitizations are also on. Support has been extended to organizations for observing World Water Day (22 March 2006).

The programme is meant for working together for instituting behavioural changes for correcting the imbalance which is created by ignoring basic interdependence of nature's processes and reckless efforts to augment water availability to meet ever increasing needs.

Explaining Science behind Miracles

The basic objective of this programme is to make people aware of these tricks and save them from cheating and misbeliefs. During the workshop the participants were trained in demonstrations of so-called miracles followed by their explanations including over 100 tricks, generally shown by self styled god-men. Short duration projects from Punjab, Orissa, Karnataka were supported.

Science Exhibition

In order to communicate science and technology achievements among the public-urban and rural population, RVPSP conducted a series science exhibitions in different parts of country from time to time. The overall response was tremendous at Kausani and Tarikhet, Uttaranchal during April-May 2006, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh in September 2006, Deoghar, Jharkhand in October, 2006, Erode, Tamil Nadu, in December, 2006. In addition, a thematic science exhibition on 'Planet Earth' was displayed at Indian Science Congress in January 2007 and o the occasion of Ardh Kumbh Mela held at Allahabad during January-February 2007 an attractive science exhibition was displayed in order to demonstrate S&T for common man being used in daily life. Further, on the occasion of celebrating anniversaries of two great historical events namely 150th anniversary of the Sepoy Mutiny and 250th anniversary of the battle of Plassey, RVPSP has also participated with its activities as an exhibition "Bharat Kranti Utsav" at Ravindra Sarovar stadium, Kolkata in January, 2007. A state level science awareness fair was put up in North Lakhimpur, Assam, where 250 participants from different district of Assam participated.

Perfect Health Mela

The Parishad participated in the Perfect Health Mela organized by Heart Care Foundation of India during 10-16 October, 2006 in New Delhi. The Parishad put up its activity corners that attracted thousands of visitors.

Research & Development Projects

National orientation workshop for Resource Teachers on Water & Soil Testing

A three day national training workshop on 'water and soil' testing was organized by Assam Science, Technology & Environment Council (ASTEC), Guwahati in collaboration with Cotton College, Guwahati during 12-14 May 2006 at Guwahati. Around 30 resource teachers having chemistry and science communication background attended the workshop. Several senior scientists delivered talks on soil and water issues. Procedures of sampling, solutions making and testing the quality of water and soil were discussed and demonstrated. Similar workshops are proposed across the country.

Module on Social Insects

A Module on Social Insects was developed for introducing the spirit of scientific enquiry among children. Some highly evolved social insects are taken in this module that would create an interest in children about architecture and building of the habitat by these insects, communication among inmates, division of labour, defense mechanism and reproduction, etc.

Brain Storming Workshop on Development of Biology Kit

A two day brain storming workshop on development of a biology kit was organized by Assam Science Society in Cotton College, Guwahati on 11-12 May 2006. Twenty five experts in the field of Zoology and Botany participated in the workshop which screened around 64 experiments with well-drawn illustrations. The compact kit, which looks like a mini laboratory and stores all items safely during transportation, has been developed. A low cost microscope having 100 X magnification would be part of the kit which is now being assembled.

'Vaad Vivaad' Karyakaram

To initiate a dialogue on local issues involving local people, a new programme has been initiated, which will focus on certain local problems faced by people. Efforts will be made to provide proper remedial measures. First the issue/problem(s) faced by people will be assessed by inviting the views of public then an awareness workshop will be organized with the help of Experts of the particular field and further enlightened public will be re-evaluated/assessed in order to know the impact of awareness workshop.

Two pilot projects have been supported one for Kota district of Rajasthan and another at Allahabad.

Nurturing Innovation

National Children's Science Congress

The 14th National Children's Science Congress (NCSC) was organized in all 35 states and UTs of the country. The national event 2006 of the year long activity was held at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majitar, Sikkim. The local host was Sikkim State Council Science & Technology. It was organized during 27- 31 December 2006. His Excellency President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has inaugurated the national event.

NCSC is a thematic programme. The focal theme of year 2006 congress was "Biodiversity - Nurture Nature for our Future". Around 542 team leaders of 10 - 17 years age group screened through districts and state level congresses made their presentation at national event. Around 80 best projects selected at state level also participated in 94th annual session of Indian Science Congress held during 3-7 January, 2007 at Annamalai University, Anna Nagar, Tamil Nadu. In addition to the child scientists from National Children's Science Congress stream, children from Jawahar Lal Nehru National Science Exhibition conducted by NCERT, Lead India 2020 and children drawn from many districts of Tamil Nadu also participated.

International Collaboration

Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS)

In order to promote and nurture the invention and innovation among youths and students of this country this department has joined hands with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Intel India and launched this activity. Entries for innovative ideas from the age group of 6-35 years have been invited through news paper advertisements and conducted workshops and meetings with various governments non-government organizations involved in science communication. The entries received were scrutinized by a panel of experts. Selected entries were invited to participate in regional fairs. Potential entries were mentored through a regrous process with the help of experts. The national fair was held at Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi during 7-9 December, 2006. The International exhibition for Young Inventors (IEYI) was held during 13-16 February, 2007 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Around 300 participant from 39 countries and equal no form India participated. Around 179 projects comprising of over 250 participants from different parts of the country participated in the event. After intense rounds of evaluation and interviews, 6 projects (4 individuals and 2 team) were selected to represent India at the Intel ISEF 2007 at Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Ten projects were also selected as subject category winners and were awarded summer internships at prestigious science institute in India. Five participants were selected for the special category award in recognition of participants efforts in research and development.

Motivational Programmes

Motivational Programmes for Talented Students

These programmes aim to encourage bright students to select careers in science; the programme has been developed for class XI science students. The selected students closely interact with the scientists teachers in a national S&T laboratory/university science departments in their region in a batch of 25-30 for 5-7 days. On the concluding day, competitions are organized on report presentation, debate/speech/essay writing, with recognition to the winners.

A motivational programme was organized by Science College, Patna, during 10-17 April 2006. Participating students, over 30 in number, mostly belonged to Government schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas of the district. Hon'ble Minister of HRD, Govt. of Bihar, inaugurated the programme, the content of which included learning scientific concepts, conducting interesting experiments, participating in science quiz, pursuing projects of student's choice, and so on. Students also put up a science exhibition on topics like environment, renewable energy, health, habitat, electronics and telecommunication, amongst others. There were field trips to various S&T establishments where students also observed the functioning of modern machines.

People's Association of Hill Area Launchers (PAHAL), Almora, Uttaranchal also organized a programme during 17-23 September 2006 at Kumaun University, Almora Campus, which benefited 26 brilliant science students of different districts of Kumaun Division. The programme included demonstration of science experiments, a face to face with eminent scientists and visits to S&T establishments. Eminent scientists of the region were the main resource persons. Similar programmes are planned for Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Manipur and Uttranchal.

National Science Day 2006

The National Science Day 2006 was celebrated by most States and Union Territories, including scientific departments, agencies and laboratories throughout the country. "Open day" lectures by eminent scientists, seminars, quizzes and competitions, etc., formed part of the celebrations. National awards for best science communication efforts were also given on this occasion. Six categories of National Awards for Science Communication are given to outstanding individuals and institutions:

a. National Award for Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology Communication

b. National Award for Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology Communication through Books and Magazines

c. National Award for Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology Popularization among Children

d. National Award for Outstanding Effort in Translation of Popular Science & Technology Literature

e. National Awards for Outstanding Effort in Science and Technology Communication in the Print Medium

f. National Award for Outstanding Effort in Science and Technology Communication in Electronic Medium

Training In S&T Communication

Training Workshop on Disaster Management

Manipur Science & Technology Council (MASTEC), Imphal, organized a three day State level training workshop on disaster preparedness during 20-22 July 2006 at State Youth Centre, Imphal. 46 participants mainly science teachers, postgraduate students, voluntary activists, youth club members, from all over Manipur received training. Main objective of the programme was to familiarize participants with the most common disasters which occur in Manipur and their management. During the course of training many resource persons gave lectures and demonstrations on Earth Sciences, Psychiatry Civil Defence, etc.

Programme on Detection and Prevention of Food Adulteration

Stella Maris College, Chennai, organized a State level training programme on detection and prevention of adulteration in foodstuff during 24-26 August 2006 at Chennai for teachers and voluntary activists from different districts of Tamil Nadu. The programme was bilingual, in Tamil and English. Several well known scientists from National Agro Foundation Centre, Department of Public Health, Bureau of Indian Standards and academia of Stella Maris College were some of the Resource Persons who gave informative lectures on various aspects of food safety, standardization, nutrition, food quality control and testing etc. A CD on 'Simple Tests to Detect Food Adulteration' to facilitate training was also prepared. A kit and a manual on detection of adulteration in foodstuff were also given to the participants who will subsequently create awareness in their respective district through these kits.

Training Workshop on S&T Communication through Puppetry

Punjab State Council for S&T organized five training workshops on S&T Communication through Puppetry at Patiala, Kotkapura, Anandpur Sahib, Ferozepur and Pathakot, to spread scientific messages using puppets on topics such as pollution, waste management, AIDS, environment conservation, eradication of superstitions, detection of food adulteration. Nearly 185 teachers were trained during the five workshops.

National Science Teachers' Workshop on Low-cost, No-cost Teaching Aids

A national level workshop for science teachers and communicators was successfully held at Nagpur from 24th to 28th Oct. 2006. The workshop was supported & catalyzed by RVPSP and organized by Association for Research & Training in Basic Science Education (ARTBSE), Nagpur & Shri Samar Bagchi, Kolkata. 41 Participants from 12 states and 20 from Nagpur and surrounding districts participated in the workshop. Several eminent scientists and science communicators were the resource persons. Experiments on physics, Chemistry were demonstrated by the resource persons. Their thrust was mainly on conceptual understanding. They also showed how experiments can be developed to understand and explore the finer points. After demonstrations by the resource persons, participants had the opportunity to perform the same experiments in 'hands-on-activities' sessions. Some variations were also tried by them & results compared. The participants also demonstrated experiments which they themselves had developed. Later on, about 35 school children (Classes 7th to 9th) were invited for one session. Shri Samar Bagchi demonstrated how effectively a class can be taught using simple experiments and that too in minimum time. After 45 minutes, students performed the same experiments independently and were able to answer searching necessary questions.

"Science in Daily Life": Content Finalization Workshop

A workshop was organized on 4th August 2006 at Indian Social Institute, New Delhi by SAMPARK, Haryana, a science based voluntary organization, in connection with the radio serial to be produced for the visually challenged youth. The serial is based on science in daily life. The aim of the workshop was to discuss and decide a specific and comprehensive format for the script writers. The workshop was attended by experienced scriptwriters, experts from the field of science, teachers and activists working with the visually impaired students and some visually challenged professionals. Examples of some persons who are doing good work in the field of science and technology in spite of being visually impaired were given. The content was also discussed which needed to be made into audio-programmes and over fifty-two topics were selected for final scripting. It is planned that the audio-cassettes together with Braille books and books with large print versions for low-vision students would be prepared soon for field testing. Later these would be distributed to the blind institutions/schools.

Open-ended Experiments on Life Sciences

Training workshops on open-ended experiments on life sciences using vermin-composting as a base were organized to train the resource teachers so that they can pursue the activity with children as science and eco-club activities. Such workshops were organized at Gangtok, Srinagar Ajmer and Naogaon.

Popularization of Astronomy using Mobile Planetarium

A project was supported to PAHAL, a science based voluntary organization for acquiring mobile planetarium to popularize astronomy and its related activities in rural schools of Uttaranchal. Mobile planetarium is being acquired from NCSM, Kolkata. Two resource persons have been identified to undertake training to carryout astronomy activities in Uttaranchal.

Year Of Planet Earth

Planning Meet

RVPSP is planning to celebrate Year of Planet Earth-2008 during 2007-2009 with 'Understanding Planet Earth' as the main theme. A Consultation Meet aimed at drawing a comprehensive plan for the same was organized during 7-9 July 2006 at Yashwant Rao Chawhan Academy of Development Administration, Pune. The meet was inaugurated by Dr. V.R Gowarikar, Chairman, Rajiv Gandhi Commission for Science & Technology, Maharashtra with his address `Thoughts on Indian Climate'. RVPSP had various invited expert talks on various themes identified as: "Paradigms in Nurturing Nature (monitoring)", "Climate, Weather & Calamities", "Geo Informatics & IT application", "Soil, Climate, Ocean", "Water & Sanitation", "Media Coverage" and "Organizational Issues". This was followed by another consultative meeting held in Bhopal during 18-19 January 2007 in which most State Councils and Departments of S&T participated. These events have provided the blueprint for the triennial "Understanding Planet Earth" which will be having all states/UTs as partners. The programme is aimed at creating a value shift in community practices in Earth Care and critical S&T infusion in public domain of knowledge.

Women's Issues

Women & Child - Health & Nutrition Programme

RVPSP is coordinating a countrywide campaign tilted 'Women & Child-Health & Nutrition Programme". This is a women specific programme targeted to women of different age groups (child, adolescent girl child, pregnant women, lactating mothers and old ladies). The project is a part of RVPSP's new initiatives of creating nationwide mass awareness on women's health issues. The variety of programmes would include awareness programmes through Radio, e-learning programme - short term courses on Nutrition and Dietary habits, short campaigns to reach to rural people through nukkad natak, puppet shows, folk forms, film shows, detection of food adulterants, art of cooking while maintaining nutrition value; preparation of Health & Nutrition Mapping and baseline study at district level, production of TV Programmes; preparation of software (publication of booklets, charts, posters, etc.); training of trainers of balwadi workers, anganwadi workers, birth attendants, village workers; sensitization workshops and follow up through health melas at district level, etc. The issues would also include obesity, post menopausal women, valuing girl child & adolescent girls and senior citizens, folic acid supplementation, traditional medicines and practices, etc. Thrust would be given on creating scientific awareness and scientific temperament. To avoid duplication of the programmes and softwares available with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Women & Child, a repository in the form of data base is being made consisting of all the available educational material/literature in the form of posters, pamphlets, books, booklets, leaflets, training manual, guidelines, audio-video cassettes/ CDs etc. produced by various government and non-government organizations.

Science for Women- Sakthi Arivaayadi

In a Community Radio Initiative in Participatory Science Communication, catalyzed and supported by RVPSP, a series of 365 episode radio magazine programme was produced and broadcast regularly from India's first campus based community radio, Anna FM @ 90.4 MHz, situated at the Educational Multimedia Research Centre, Anna University, Chennai. The project aimed at disseminating scientific awareness needed for everyday living amongst a participatory group of 600 women from two urban slums in the FM coverage zone, namely Kannigapuram and Kotturpuram through the broadcast of a radio science serial titled "Sakthi Arivaayadi" in a magazine format. A team of twelve student volunteers, well versed in the nuances of community radio broadcasting, was commissioned during May 2005 to undertake an exhaustive mapping of the community to be used for the participatory study and a detailed feed forward study was undertaken on the women folk aged above ten years of age with no upper limit. Formal Project launch was done on 16 August 2005. The project included health awareness camp at Kannigapuram, environment awareness camp and computer basics training workshops etc. The response from the participant groups was encouraging and the challenge was to sustain the momentum generated and draw strength from the new found resources in the community to facilitate total participation. In a nutshell, this exciting experiment in participatory science communication has taught crucial lessons at every stage and when analyzed and incorporated back into the project, the outcome is proving to be more effective. State Science And Technology Programme (SSTP)

State Science & Technology Programme (SSTP) is the sole plan activity of the Central Government especially focused on the specific objective of promotion of science & technology at state level. The scheme, formulated at the instance of Planning Commission, is being implemented by the department since Sixth Five Year Plan. DST support has played an important catalytic role to encourage and facilitate state science & technology councils to act as nodal organization for planning, formulating, evaluating and implementing science & technology activities at State level. The core support provided by the department has enabled State S & T Councils to equip themselves with requisite S & T manpower and office infrastructure to perform effectively. The programmatic support, on the other hand, aims to demonstrate, through carefully chosen projects, the contributions science & technology interventions can make in the development process of the State.

As a result of catalytic role played by DST in close cooperation with the Planning Commission and States/Union Territories (UTs), State S&T structures have been set-up in all the States. The most significant areas promoted by State S&T Councils are in the areas of Popularization of Science, S&T Entrepreneurship Development, S&T for Weaker Sections and Women, Programmes for Young Scientists, Biotechnology Programmes, Application of Remote Sensing Technology, Environment Programmes, Non-Conventional Energy Programmes and sponsored location specific need based R&D Projects.

During the last few years, the horizons of the scheme have been considerably expanded and the character of the programme has undergone a major transformation. All the objectives of the scheme aimed at upliftment of socio-economic conditions of the states have been activated. DST has now assumed a pro-active role and has ventured into programme-based cooperation with State Councils to address location specific and region specific problems while continuing with its earlier role of providing catalytic core support to sustain them. Some of the important achievements during the year under various activity heads of the programme are enumerated below:

1. Network of State S&T Councils:

A national level consultation with states and union territories was held on 18-19 September,2006 which resolved that both Central and State agencies associated with the promotion, development and application of science and technology would strive to champion the planned national S&T interventions in the areas of capacity building and human resource development within the region of focus and prioritized four areas for technology applications viz Safe drinking water for household use; Decentralized energy generation/ utilisation; Decentralised solid waste management; Remunerative utilisation specific to local/ regional resources and three areas on R&D Services viz Micro-zonation of weather forecasting and information dissemination; Remote sensing, Resource Mapping & Database generation; and, Technology dissemination database for a collective pursuit as a mega network programme working in mission mode.

2. Joint Programmes:

• DST launched a special initiative on "S&T interventions for drinking water related problems." A holistic approach to the problem is being evolved including all components namely, technology, awareness, management, etc. involving various stake holders to ensure sustainability of the solution.
• Coordinated programme on" Identification of strategy for mapping of S&T needs in a state ", continued to cover the entire country in a phased manner. The project was completed in the states of Tripura and West Bengal.

3. Demonstration Projects including Replication of Success Models:

Under this programme, technologies developed by national labs as well as by State S&T Councils were put to field trials, demonstration and replication. Some of the major achievements were in the following areas:

• Plastic and hospital waste management system: Four plastic and hospital waste disposal demonstration plants based on indigenously developed plasma incineration technologies were set up at ecologically fragile locations having high tourist influx at Goa, A&N Islands, Himachal Pradesh & Sikkim.
• Water purification technologies: In order to demonstrate effectiveness of indigenous technologies for removal of contaminants from drinking water with a view to provide safe drinking water, following technologies were successfully demonstrated:
  
  
  • One demonstration plant based on ceramic membrane based iron removal from water was installed at Tripura.
  • A sea-water desalination plant based on 2-Stage desalination process development indigenously was installed in Nelmudar village (Ramnathapuram district), Tamil Nadu.
  • A community deflouridation plant of 25 ltrs/minute capacity based on Activated Alumina Technology was developed and demonstrated at Moondli Village in Rajasthan.
  • Pilot demonstration plant for treatment of hard/brackish water based on indigenously developed Reverse Osmosis Technology was successfully installed at Uttarlai Airforce Station, Barmer. The plant has been running successfully and providing pure drinking water to inhabitants of air-base as well as nearby villages.
    
    
• Miscellaneous Technologies:
  
  
  • A demonstration building unit showcasing solar passive housing technology developed by HP State S&T council was constructed at Manipur to facilitate replication of technology.
  • A sericulture demonstration plant has been established in J&K, adapting better silk yielding technologies, under guidance of scientists from IICT, Hyderabad
    
    
• Distributed energy Systems:

In order to promote decentralised energy generation based on locally available resources, technologies available with various institutions were demonstrated at various locations.
Bio-diesel production plant (100L/batch) set up at Orissa with IIT Delhi Technology

Bio-diesel production plant (100L/batch) set up at Orissa with IIT Delhi Technology

• The 100litre/batch capacity plant on production and utilization of bio-diesel from non-edible oil seeds installed at Satya Nagar, Bhubaneswar in the state of Orissa. The plant is producing 100 lires of oil per 4 hours and its operation and maintenance cost is being worked out.
• The project on biofuel plant developed at JSS academy of Technical Education, Bangalore continued and two biofuel plants have been installed at Allahabad and Raipur.
  

Biomass Gasifier at village Bagdara, Chhattisgarh Gas Engine used in Bagdara, Chhatisgarh

• Project on biomass gasifier using 30 kg woody biomass per hour with 100% producer gas based engine has been successfully commissioned at village Bagdara, Chattisgarh. The plant is operating 2 hours in the morning for commercial activity and 4 hours in the evening for household lighting. The plant will be operated and maintained by the Village Energy Committee (VEC).
• Biogas enrichment plant running 10 KW genset has been installed at Rajasthan Go-Sewa Sangh, Jaipur and is being utilized to meet the electricity requirement of the Sangh. The plant has a biogas

Biogas enrichment plant set up at Jaipur based on IIT Delhi Technology

enrichment system used to get 95% Methane for power generation based on water scrubbing technology developed by IIT, Delhi.

4. S&T Studies and Surveys

• Studies were initiated on Organic Agriculture Programme based on S&T inputs for North-East states; existing dairy technology transfer system, information needs, problems and development of new technology transfer models in Punjab; application of Industrial / Municipal Effluents/ Waste water in Agriculture in H.P.
• Studies were completed on Restoration of Traditional Dyes of Manipur and Elucidating the Structures of the Colorants; leaching characteristics of fly ash of identified TPS in Uttaranchal; Ground water quality monitoring in Kanpur district along the Gangetic Plain and Survey to Assess prevalence of genetic disorders and awareness programme among Rural Women regarding their causative factors and prevention.

5. Location Specific R&D and Technology Development

• New projects were initiated on extension and technology demonstration for in-vitro clonal multiplication of Bamboo and Shisham and their establishment in Uttar Pradesh.
• Projects on "design and development of prototype machine (Fibre Extractor) for waste areca-nut shell in Assam" completed.

6. Information Exchange

• An All India brainstorming meeting was held on the topic of "Integrating Science & Technology into the development agenda of States and formulation of mega projects in the Eleventh Plan in India" at New Delhi. The objective of the meeting was to make most effective use of, the scientific infrastructure that exists and technological knowledge generated by it over the years in the councils. It was envisaged to develop plan and methodology for preparing "Mega S&T projects in the eleventh plan of India" that would facilitate State S&T Councils in systematically planning and implementing the initiatives identified in the meeting for development of eleventh five year plan with a focus on promotion of S&T activities in the states.
• Documentation effort on developmental projects being implemented by State Councils has reached its final stage. A video film on achievements of state S&T councils have been prepared.

7. Trainings

• Workshops were organized on identification of priority areas for Uttranchal in association with State Council of Science and Technology.
• Workshop was organized in collaboration with IIT, Mumbai on 'Integrated technology utilization for a block including field visits.
• Training programme was conducted on Establishment of Vermi-compost units using garbage at Vijayawada Municipal Corporation of Andhra Pradesh State.

The Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Constitutional Amendments, 1991 and 1992 seek to decentralize the process and practice of planning to smaller area units (districts or below). This is expected to help draw up developmental strategies those are sustainable, area-specific, and take into account the local people's needs. In order for the people to effectively participate in the process of planning and the Institutions of Local Self-Governance (e.g. Zilla-, Block-, or Village-Panchayats and Nagarpalikas or municipalities), relevant data / information sets should be accessible at the time of need. Under the Natural Resources Data Management System (NRDMS) Programme of the Department, efforts are made to develop methods and tools to make those data / information sets available and accessible to the potential users and agencies.

With the resolution adopted by the Government in June 2006 to constitute the National Spatial data Infrastructure (NSDI), emphasis under the Programme has been on developing and demonstrating required tools and techniques. During 2006-07, activities were pursued to prototype and test various standards made available by Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) / International Standardization Organization (ISO), demonstrate their utility in improving data sharing/ access mechanism, popularize geo-spatial data amongst different stakeholder communities, and work towards developing domain-oriented web-enabled data nodes at different levels of the planning hierarchy. Some of these domains include bio-diversity, hydrology, land administration, and disaster management (tsunami & landslides).

District GIS Centers

District GIS centres, set up under NRDMS, are gradually emerging as providers of geo-spatial information to the local communities and district level Line Department. Increasingly the Line Departments are banking upon the geo-spatial database and analytical tools available at the Centres for implementation of developmental schemes. The Centre at Bankura (West Bengal) has made use of the available natural resource data layers in the implementation of the centrally-sponsored Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojna (RSVY) in the sector of agriculture. Panchayats, mouzas and micro watersheds have been selected using the database and tools with the help of the technical staff available at the Centre for better targeting and rational distribution of financial resources in the backward areas. In the health sector, layers of data on health amenities, natural drainage, and population distribution have helped in re-allocation of the service areas to primary health centres in the district.

Training programmes are conducted at the Centres to train officials and staff from the Line Departments on the use of analytical tools and expose them to possible uses of GIS databases. On the initiative of the Chief Election Officer, Uttaranchal, a one-day training on Election-GIS was conducted on 28 December 2006 at the GIS Centre in Almora (Uttaranchal).

Micro-watersheds selected under Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana in a part of Saltora Block (Bankura, West Bengal) at the district GIS Centre

During 2006-07, GIS centres have been set up at districts like Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir) and Theni, cuddlore, and Nagapattinam (Tamilnadu) with active participation of the concerned State Governments. In order to improve the data sharing / access and updation mechanisms at the Centres, R & D studies have been launched at IIT Kharagpur and Kumaon University, Almora.

Interoperability and spatial data sharing

Geo-spatial data and process standards prescribed by Open Geo-spatial Consortium (OGC) and International Standardization Organization (ISO) have been tested for spatial data/ information sharing. In particular, OGC's standard specifications like Geography Markup language (GML) Simple Feature, Web Feature Service (WFS), and Web Map Service (WMS) have been prototyped and tested. A Geography Markup Language (GML) Relay was organized on 27 January 2006 at NSDI (SOI), New Delhi to test a sample GML data created from sample DVD data from Survey of India for interoperability. Leading vendors like ESRI India, Oracle India, and Rolta India participated in the event and demonstrated the use of their Interoperability Extension Tools in importing and exporting the test GML data. A Working Group on Interoperability constituted under NRDMS oversees the development and testing of prototypes.

Visualization of GML test data created from sample DVD data from Survey of India on a standard browser

Ontology Tool - Sangam

Spatial data sets are produced by various organizations using different data models and standards. Experiences indicate that different organizations, in their data models, at times use different feature names with the same meaning or the same feature name with different meanings or different classification hierarchies. Differences also exist due to variation in representation (e.g. same feature represented as a point or a polygon) or granularity of data (e.g. a basin and one of its watersheds for one organization may still be considered as two watersheds by another organization). Automated integration of such data sets is thus a challenging task. In order to resolve such differences, ontologies ('explicit specification of a shared conceptualization') of features are required to be created by a user from the available metadata or application schemas for establishing

A screen capture of the Ontology Tool SANGAM developed at IIT Bombay for addressing semantic heterogeneity in spatial Data

a knowledge-based mapping between them. An Ontology Tool, named SemANtic Geographic Data Access Methodology (SANGAM), has thus been developed to help resolve such differences. Functionalities of the Tool include ontology creation and browsing, physical metadata creation and browsing; ontology mapping; mapping validation; wrapper generation, and data extraction. Capable of registering ontologies and storage metadata usable by different resources, the Tool compares descriptions of data across several organizations and establishes possible similarities with different levels of probability. Ensuring such semantic level interoperability helps support quicker discovery, access and integration of spatial data.

"Bio-Geo Database & Ecological Modeling For the Himalayas" sub-programme

Under this coordinated sub-programme, an integrated multi-institutional multi-disciplinary approach has been followed wherein studies have been completed for three micro watersheds - Mandhala, Moolbery, and Megad - in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Salient technical achievements of the studies include user

Microbial activity map of Moolbery watershed

needs assessment for local level planning exercises in particular reference to the bio-resources, development of comprehensive spatial databases on natural resources and socio-economic aspects for Mandhala and Moolberi micro watersheds representing the lower and middle Himalayan Transects, detailed land use / land capability assessment and preparation of suitable cropping pattern and sustainable land use developmental plan for Mandhala watershed, installation of hydrological monitoring station for the collection of time series data to support integrated land use planning in Moolbery watershed, and assessment of the local socioeconomic scenario for devising diversified livelihood options for the local people. Collection of bio-resources data on aspects like diversity, endemicity, distribution and seasonal variation of fauna, soil microbes and integrating those with the geo-resources e.g. land and water in a standardized spatial framework form an important output of the studies. A biological species diversity index has been devised to study the distribution of flora and fauna in the watersheds. For the Uttaranchal study transects, digital topographical data in 1:25,000 scale for the four micro watersheds viz. Phakot, Pathri Rao, Dabka and Khulgad have been prepared and provided by Survey of India to help build micro-watershed level bio-geo databases. In order to create an awareness amongst the scientists of the Sub-programme on the use of ECOLAND - a Spatial Decision Support System for land use planning, a five days' training programme has been organized at Kumaun University, Almora.

Land capability map of Mandhala watershed

Disaster management (Tsunami and landslides)

Following the South Asian Tsunami in December, 2004, a set of multi-disciplinary studies were initiated with the objectives of preparing damage assessment maps on natural and physical resources on 1:8,000 scale, determining soil salinity and land use/ land cover changes including coastal erosion and deposition, assessing the contamination in portable ground water resources so as to prepare sustainable plans, and preparing risk maps for devising future planning strategies. Four sites in Tamil Nadu, one in Andhra Pradesh and one in Andaman & Nicobar Islands have been identified for the studies. With the help of satellite data and aerial photography, large scale maps have been prepared for developing GIS databases.

Detailed geological and geotechnical studies have been undertaken in 10 areas for developing model for calculation of factor of safety and slope stability. These models will help in improving preventive measures for landslides. A book on 'Landslides: Perception and Initiatives of DST" was compiled with the help of Indian Society of Engineering Geology, Lucknow to report the outputs of various research activities carried out by various participating institutions over the past few years. The book was released by the Secretary, DST during the inaugural of the Indo-Norwegian Workshop on 'Norwegian Method of Tunneling' held in New Delhi on 7-8 September 2006. It can serve as a reference book for the scientific community engaged in landslides research and the field engineers in controlling the problem of landslide. A Landslide Hazard Zonation Atlas has been prepared with the technical collaboration of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune. The Atlas will provide vital inputs on slope stability to planners in the hill areas while undertaking planning construction activities. Under the Mission Project on "Landslide for Uttaranchal", 8 sites have been selected (4 with the help of Border Roads Organization and 4 with PWD Uttaranchal) for detailed studies. Six R&D projects have been launched to undertake detailed geological/ topographical mapping and geotechnical investigations to understand the mechanism of slope failure. This will help monitor the slide zones and design preventive measures. A close interaction with Border Roads Organization and PWD Uttaranchal and the State Government is being maintained to ensure construction and maintenance of roads along scientific lines.

Land Administration

Land administration is an important item of activity for the Nagarpalikas or Municipalities. The 74th Constitutional Amendment has earmarked sectors like urban planning including town planning, regulation of land-use and construction of buildings, and planning for economic and social development in the Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution where the nagarpalikas are expected to draw up and implement developmental schemes. Studies launched for the Indore Municipality (Madhya Pradesh) and Chandni Chawk (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) to demonstrate the utility of geo-spatial data and technologies in improving tax administration and monitoring encroachments. Officials from the user agencies have been trained on the use of the tools developed under these studies.

Detecting urban sprawl in parts of Ward No. 63, Indore Municipality (Madhya Pradesh)

In order to demonstrate the capability of 3D visualization techniques and establish real time systems for monitoring building construction using high resolution satellite imagery, vehicle borne and static laser systems have been deployed on an experimental basis. A 20 sq.km area in Chandni Chowk, Delhi has been taken up for detailed studies. A 3D GIS database has been developed for use by a real time monitoring control room set up by the MCD on a pilot basis.

A Tax Collection System has been developed for Chandni Chowk using cadastral maps to support the officials from the MCD in assessing land revenue based on the size of the cadastres and their land use type.

Tax Collection system linked with cadastral map of Chandni Chawk, Delhi.

Creating awareness about applications of Geo-informatics for local problem-solving

As a part of the Year of Scientific Awareness - 2004, a sub-programme was implemented in four selected districts in each of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal to create awareness about utility of maps and geo-informatics for local problem solving. School children of classes VII, VIII & IX in the rural schools located in the identified districts were targeted for the awareness campaign. As resource materials for the Sub-programme, tool and resource kits were developed and distributed amongst the students. Each tool kit contained one combined Global Positioning System (GPS) and altimeter and a resource kit contained a resource book on 'maps' in the corresponding regional language, a village topography map in 1:25,000 scale and a clip of the satellite imagery for the same village at 1:25,000.

Cover page of resource books in three regional (Telugu, Bengali, and Punjabi) languages distributed amongst school children

Village Topography Map at	Clip of satellite imagery

The children learnt the techniques of updating the topography map from satellite imagery and used it for local natural resource related problem solving. This is expected to help them to appreciate the role of geoinformatics in local level planning. The Sub-programme created geo-informatics awareness amongst 18,000 school children and 113 teachers in the selected states. The activities were noted to have significantly changed the awareness level of the target groups on the subject.

Training

Training workshops on different facets of spatial data technologies, GIS and their applications have been conducted as a part of the effort to build the capacity of scientists, college teachers, and other professionals. An indicative list of workshops conducted is given in the Table:

With the above tools and techniques, availability of expertise and trained staff in various R & D institutions and District GIS Centres, NRDMS is poised towards setting up pilot scale Spatial Data Infrastructures at the different levels of the planning hierarchies. Demonstration of the utility of SDIs in availability and accessibility to geo-spatial data will set the stage for development of Geo-spatial Service Infrastructures to lay the foundation for a knowledge economy and society.