Subject: INDIA (SDNp-India) Greetings from India! I am sure this would be of interest to all GKD participants on how our programme is aiming to achieve its objective of Knowledge-Based Networking in India through extensive use of Information and Communication Technologies. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada in collaboration of Ministry of Environment and Forests (India) has launched the portal site of Sustainable Development Networking Programme, India (SDNP-India) at http://sdnp.delhi.nic.in mirrored at http://members.tripod.com/sdnp_india. The website has got over 35,000 hits since May 1999 which is very encouraging. SDNP India aims to facilitate the process of sustainable development, promote good practices and strengthen the democratic processes through a mechanism of information exchange between the government and research organisations, NGOs, business establishments and the civil society over the electronic and hybrid media. The website provides access to a host of online databases, environmental legislation, case studies, publications, news clippings and electronic discussion groups on these issues. A database of international organisations working on sustainable development issues is being maintained on the website and has been indexed subject area wise. The links section of the website provides gateway to over 1500 other websites concerning environment and sustainable development. We have started to host information on Environment and Sutainable Development in local Indian languages too, so as to enhance the reach of the programme. The website also provides a platform to initiate debates and discussions, highlight developmental issues and initiate environmental actions at all levels through a host of services such as Building Bridges, Query Desk, Dev-Online, Event Reporting service and training on Information and Communication Technologies. More information about these services is available at the SDNP website or by sending an email at sdnp@envfor.delhi.nic.in I take this opportunity to welcome you to the SDNP-India website and assist us in making it a comprehensive source of information on sustainable development. We look forward to your suggestions, criticisms and contributions towards both the site and how we can further promote knowledge based networking in India. Regards Vikas Nath Programme Officer Sustainable Development Networking Programme (India) Sustainable Development Networking Programme (India) Room 1023 Paryavaran Bhawan CGO Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi 110003 India Phone + 91 11 436 2140 Fax + 91 11 436 1147 Email : sdnp@envfor.delhi.nic.in URL : http://sdnp.delhi.nic.in