National Spatial Data Infrastructure
Also called: NSDI · Topic: Remote Sensing, GIS and GNSS · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) is a framework set up in 2006. Spatial data means data tied to a location, such as maps of soils, roads or forests. Before NSDI, many government agencies made their own maps of the same areas, which wasted money and time. NSDI sets common standards, shared rules for formats and coordinates, so that data from one agency fits with data from another. It also provides a national geoportal, one website where agencies can find and share map data. The aim is to stop agencies from repeating the same mapping work.
Example
A district planner in Odisha who needs soil, road and forest maps can find them through the national geoportal. Because all the layers follow the same standards, they can be overlaid in a GIS without redrawing any of them.
Don't confuse with
- Bhuvan: ISRO's geoportal, launched in 2009, for Indian satellite images and thematic maps. NSDI is the wider framework of standards and data sharing across all agencies.
Related concepts
- Bhuvan
- Geotagging
- Geospatial guidelines 2021
- Drone Rules 2021
- SVAMITVA scheme
- National Geospatial Policy 2022
- FASAL