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About Us |
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The ENVIS
CENTRE at
Development Alternatives |
Development Alternatives has been designated as
the ENVIS (Environmental Information System) node
# 4, since 1984, by Union Ministry of Environment
and Forests which is functioning as a National
Focal Point of INFOTERRA/UNEP. Since 1984, ENVIS #
4 is globally linked to UNEP’s INFOTERRA which is
a global environmental information system.
INFOTERRA stimulates and supports exchange of
environmental information within and between
nations. To achieve
this objective, ENVIS # 4, has been assigned the
task of collecting, organizing and dissemination
of information, globally on “ Environmentally
Sound and Appropriate Technologies (ESAT).
The ENVIS #4 at Development Alternatives has been
actively involved in updating the existing
databases and also creating new databases to
retrieve knowledge, information and data instantly
and efficiently to public, free of cost and in
user-friendly way, during 2001-2002. A major
function has been to answer over 3000 queries from
appropriate technology designers , NGOs, research
and academic institutions, business groups,
government agencies, embassies and journalists
from different parts of the world. Over 1000
persons, mainly professionals have visited ENVIS
#4 and got library and information products and
services. With the addition of 274 books and other
useful documents, the total collection has gone up
to 16,696. Besides this, 15 new periodicals are
subscribed to and with this, total number of
periodicals has gone up to 531. Other collection
of ENVIS #4 includes - (1) 1271 maps and atlases;
(2) 560 audio cassettes and (3) 512 video
cassettes. To enrich the collection of the
"Digital Library" which is a part of ENVIS #4, 140
CD-ROMs and diskettes were added. A Significant
feature of ENVIS #4, during this period was that a
majority of the visitors utilized reports and
publications of Development Alternatives.
In view of further enhancing Library and
information services to both public and to staff
members of Development Alternatives, a new Library
automation software, namely “Alice for Windows”
has been installed recently. |
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