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Agency promotes participatory mapping
Aerial view: The deputy for general mapping information at the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), Dodi Sukmayadi, explains how to use a mapping application on Monday
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span class="inline inline-center">Aerial view: The deputy for general mapping information at the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), Dodi Sukmayadi, explains how to use a mapping application on Monday. The application is designed to get the public involved with mapping their areas. JP/AWO
The Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) launched an online land mapping platform on Monday that encourages people to update geospatial information.
Asep Karsidi, the agency head, said that the platform, in the form of a website, was one of the steps being taken to create a single source for a general map as a reference for land ownership, also known as the One Map Policy.
'The agency encourages people to participate in mapping their area through this website. The data from the public will be verified first before included as official data,' Asep said.
The website, which covers nationwide geographic landscape with a scale of up to 1:50,000, can be accessed at petakita.ina-sdi.or.id.
On the website, which aims to solve border issues in forested areas, people can help update the map, for example by drawing a line representing a river that has yet to appear on the map, or draw a square to represent a building.
The agency, formerly known as the National Coordinating Agency for Land Survey and Mapping (Bakosurtanal), will submit the data to related institutions for verification and follow up.
Data related to forested areas will be submitted to the Forestry Ministry, which will then verify it with the current field conditions.
Dodi Sukmayadi, the agency's general mapping information deputy head, said that although the website was open to the public, it required users to register before contributing information.
Updates can only be submitted through personal computers.
'We believe that locals have the most knowledge of geographic conditions in their areas, but we also hope they contribute in an honest manner,' Dodi said.
He added that the newly launched website was still in a beta version and that public feedback was necessary to optimize it.
Dodi further said that the platform could also be used to map areas prone to natural disaster.
'Currently, ministries and a number or institutions are using different maps with different specifications. The negative side is that there is a possibility of dual data that could lead to misinformation and trigger conflicts,' he said.
Meanwhile, the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Management Agency (BP REDD+) called the mapping initiative a transparent way to realize the long-awaited One Map Policy.
'Public participation is key to the success of the program,' said BP REDD+ head Heru Prasetyo.
Heru also highlighted land dispute issues involving indigenous people's customary forest rights, encouraging indigenous groups to use the application to distinguish borders in their territories.
According to Indigenous People's Alliance of the Archipelago data, 150 land dispute cases involving indigenous people nationwide were submitted to the organization last year.
'This platform is accessible to everyone, including indigenous people, so they can use it optimally [to] protect their customary land,' Heru said. (idb)
