Mountains are dynamic in nature compare to the plains and thus they posses some distinct temporal and spatial characteristics in a unique socio-cultural setting. There is also an ever increasing need for spatial and temporal data in planning and management activities for which GIS is being recognised more and more as a common platform for integrating social, economic and environmental data and information from different sources. To address these issues, the Mountain GIS e-Conference was divided in three sub-themes on: i) Capacity Building and Networking, ii) Mountain Databases, Tools and Methods and, iii) Thematic Applications and Decision Support Systems. Altogether, 752 individuals registered their participation in this e-conference from 71 different countries. 163 participants from 34 countries posted at least once during this e-conference that had been slated from 14th to 25th January 2008 but later extended till 28th January. A total of 39 papers/presentations were submitted along with 43 showcases for this e-conference.
Many participants in this e-conference wrote on the evolution of GI Science and technology and the need for democratisation of geographic information. Some of the participants also said that the key to the successful utilisation of GIS in the mountain areas lies in ensuring integrated and innovative mountain specific geo-based solutions. Also discussed were the issues on the need to combine these technologies with the rich indigenous knowledge and in bringing this into practice for the sustainable development of the mountainous regions. The importance of participatory GIS approach was also highlighted by some of the participants. With this e-conference, it became obvious that GIS technology has certainly made some headway in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region. Definitely there are many challenges and contours of tasks that are ahead and still emerging. The e-conference encompassed many issues related with technical, human, data, institutional, policy and cultural aspects of mountain areas in the HKH region and beyond. From more than 200 postings that were posted in this e-conference, it became evident that there is a need for a coherent strategy in developing a critical mass for successful utilisation with key role from the academic sector; there is also a need for a coordinated effort in developing key thematic databases with appropriate tools and methods adapted to mountain specific conditions; effective use of GI and EO applications for mountain development policies and practices; there is also a need for collaborative effort to build, share and disseminate geographic information and establish regional hub/gateway of GI resources, and a need for comprehensive framework for enabling conditions to support access and use of standardised geographic information, like the role of ICIMOD on Himalayan SDI framework. The Mountain GIS e-conference report is the compilation of these postings and proceedings.
