INTRODUCTION

The developing nations need to evolve a strategy for the effective management and utilization of natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable. In this endeavour, it is often necessary to strike a balance between development and maintenance of optimum natural environment of a region. To meet this requirement we need authentic and accurate spatial and non-spatial information or Geoinformation on earth surface features and process involved. In the recent past there has been tremendous advancement in the field of Geoinformation collection, analysis and dissemination for spectrum of applications. In this regard India has taken a lead by providing state-of-the-art remote sensing satellites IRS-1C/1D for Geoinformation collecion from space. As we step into the information age of 21st century, it is necessary that we capitalise the tremendous potential of Geoinformatics and further develop the technology and expertise for natural resources assessment, monitoring and management.

R ealising this the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) and International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC), the Netherlands have gone into a historic collaboration and established state-of-the-art Geoinformatics facility at IIRS for education and research. As a part of the collaborative programme, it is decided to organise, "Geoinformatics: Beyond 2000", an International Conference on "Geoinformatics for natural resources assessment, monitoring and management" during 9-11th March, 1999 at IIRS, Dehardun, India.