THE Ministry of Natural Resources, on Wednesday, joined global observances of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day 2025, using the occasion to launch a new geospatial platform intended to improve data access and support decision-making across the sector.
GIS Day, celebrated annually, highlights the role of geospatial technologies and professionals in addressing environmental, infrastructural, and developmental challenges. This year’s theme, “Geo-Generalist Era: Where Spatial Meets Everything,” reflects the increasing integration of spatial data into public and private-sector operations worldwide.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, said the ministry’s newly-developed GeoPortal aligns with the government’s national digitisation agenda and will enhance the work of the ministry and its technical agencies. The portal will offer downloadable spatial datasets, documentation, dashboards, maps, and other tools to support planning and resource management.
According to the ministry, expanding access to geospatial information will help strengthen oversight, improve transparency, and support evidence-based policy decisions in areas such as forestry, mining, land use, and environmental monitoring.
The launch also coincided with wider acknowledgements of the contributions made by local GIS technicians and analysts, whose work supports national development projects and environmental management systems.