A ten-day training workshop on Geographical Information System (GIS) was successfully conducted at the Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu from 3rd October to 13th October 2017. The workshop aimed at equipping officials interested to incorporate GIS in their daily works, with basic GIS analytics features that can be represented according to different goals and needs. The workshop also allowed participants to network and coordinate their plans and efforts towards nature conservation.
Participants were introduced to carrying out biodiversity field measurement activities in the nearby forests; also, participants will be allowed to bring their own data for analysis. Following practical sessions were also introduced:
• Use of ArcGIS to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present various types of spatial and geographical data related to biodiversity.
• Use of Global Positioning System (GPS) tools to collect field data.
• Establishment of a data collection chain, from planning to surveying and the data transfer from GPS into GIS projects using best practices and avoiding the most common errors faced during these stages. Develop draft plans for specific follow-up activities.
• Coordinate to select appropriate means and structures to contribute to nation-wide biodiversity conservation strategies
In addition, the participants were also provided with licensed ArcGIS software to continue working with the GIS. Participants from various organizations such as RSPN, National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), College of Natural Resources (CNR), UWICER, Trashigang Forest Division, National Statistical Bureau (NSB), National Mushroom Centre (NMC), National Plant Protection Centre (NPPC), National Environmental Commission (NEC), Dagana Central School, and Green Bhutan Corp., attended the training workshop.
The training workshop was organized by the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) in collaboration with Royal Thimphu College and University of California Davis, USA, with funding support from EFN, WWF-US.
-National Biodiversity Centre (NBC)
