A Review of Governance Frameworks for National Spatial Data Infrastructure

Abstract

This chapter examined the governance framework of National Spatial Data Infrastructures in five South Asian countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It analyzed six key components—participation and consensus orientation, responsiveness and transparency, equity and accountability, effectiveness and efficiency, rule of law, and strategic vision—underpinning NSDI programs. The diverse strategies and structures employed by these countries are explored. Bangladesh's collaborative NSDI Steering and Technical Committees promote geospatial data sharing. India's two-tier structure involves the National Spatial Data Committee and the NSDI Executive Committee for policy setting and implementation. Nepal's lack of a designated NSDI agency hampers coordination. Pakistan's NSDI is in the feasibility study phase, while Sri Lanka emphasizes its NSDI within its Digital Policy. Overall, it was observed that some characteristics of good governance are evident across the majority of the countries examined in this chapter; however, the level of maturity remains relatively weak.