Communication


Design and
Development of a
Himalayan Studies
Information
System for India: 
A Proposed Model

Anil Singh 

The ever-increasing need for information,
with its complexity and escalating costs; the
enormous growth in publications, and the
emergence of subject specialization have com-
pelled librarians to share resources through
information networks and systems. This
paper describes the necessity of networking
among the Himalayan Studies and Research
Centers in India, allowing the sharing of
information originating from the Himalayan
Studies Information System (HIMIS). The
paper also discusses in brief the definition of
information systems, as well as the objectives
and needs of a proposed HIMIS. 

The recent advancements in the com-
puter, communications, and net-
working technologies have brought
about three paradigm shifts. There is
the shift of information resources
from print to electronic media, the
shift in the role of information
providers from passive to proactive,
and the shift from manual to auto-
mated information delivery. This has
presented library and information
professionals with a tremendous
challenge, that of playing a proactive
role not only in their routine activi-
ties (acquisition, processing, and dis-
semination), but also in the actual
learning process of their clientele.
Library and information profession-
als have to learn to scan, filter, inter-
pret, analyze, repackage, and deliver
information from a variety of sources
in ways that are meaningful to their
users.1

Himalaya, the greatest physical
feature of the earth, is not only an
integral part of history and heritage,
but it has also assumed the form of a

social, cultural, and geo-political real-
ity that cannot be ignored or underes-
timated. This mountain range makes
an enormous contribution to our
contemporary life, even as it influ-
enced our history and mythology.
Furthermore, this influence promises
to extend even to the future.2

The Himalayas have always
remained a source of fascination and
inspiration for people from all walks
of life, and have been deemed by the
peoples of the subcontinent to be the
cradle of human civilization. The
variety of cultures, terrains, forest
physiographies, flora, and fauna of
this region has lured the intelli-
gentsia of the world since time
immemorial. In recent years, how-
ever, the Himalayas have become the
focus of attention of scientists and
government alike. Efforts are under-
way for a better understanding of its
highly complex environmental and
ecological systems, and to bring
about an all-around development of
the region, which has remained
backward throughout the centuries.3

There has been a tremendous
explosion of data and information
in recent years, particularly in the
field of Himalayan resources, with
an increase in the number of
research and development institu-
tions at the national and interna-
tional level. While most of these
research institutions and universi-
ties possess excellent libraries and
information centers, there is at pres-
ent no information network by
which coordination and sharing of
resources could be effected for the
mutual benefit of each of the exist-
ing libraries. Because there is little
access to the right information at the
right time, it has become difficult
for one single organization to collect
the data and information that are
required by policy makers, adminis-
trators, and research scientists. The
other scientific departments of the
government of India have already
started planning to begin informa-
tion networking in their respective
areas. Some of these projects are

completed and others are in the
process of implementation.4

During the last decades, India has
been active in setting up information
systems and networks, and consider-
able progress has been achieved in this
area (figure 1). Since most of the infor-
mation related to the Himalayas is
scattered in different research-and-
studies centers all over India, there is a
need to develop a Himalayan Studies
Information System (HIMIS). HIMIS
will be a computer-communication
network for linking various libraries
and information centers of research
and development (R&D) institutions,
universities, and nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) working on the
Himalayas. The system, therefore, has
to take into account the specific infor-
mation requirements of each develop-
ment sector so far as its relevance to
the Himalayas is concerned.

Defining Information
Systems

The purpose of an information sys-
tem is to provide accurate and rele-
vant information to users at the right
time and at the appropriate level of
detail. This will help ensure that the
corporate information resource is uti-
lized fully.5

Buckingham defines an informa-
tion system as a 

system which assembles, stores,
processes, and delivers informa-
tion relevant to an organization
(or to society), in such a way
that the information is accessible
and useful to those who wish 
to use it, including managers,
staff, clients, and citizens. An 

Anil Singh (rathoreas@hotmail.com) is
Professional Assistant, Division of Lib-rary,
Documentation and Information, National
Council of Educational Research and
Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi,
India.

Communications

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A HIMALAYAN STUDIES INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR INDIA | SINGH 37



38 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARIES | MARCH 2005

information system is a human
activity (social) system which
may or may not involve the use
of computer system.6

Harrod’s Librarians’ Glossary defines
information system as an organized
procedure for collecting, processing,
storing, and retrieving information to
satisfy a variety of needs.7 According
to Bowman, four different compo-
nents can be identified: (1) A store of
useful information that has been
accumulated over a period of time;
(2) a series of techniques used for
adding material to and retrieving
information from the store upon
demand; (3) a group of people who
operate the system and are responsi-
ble for selecting information to be
added, answering questions, organ-
izing the store, and for implementing
and modifying the techniques for
both storage and retrieval; and (4) the
user. The ultimate test of any such
system is the degree of satisfaction it
gives the user who has specific infor-
mation needs.8

Setting Up HIMIS

The volume of Himalayan informa-
tion plus the number of users and
their various requirements have cre-
ated a situation where it is almost
impossible for any single library to
provide information services single-
handedly. It is only through a network
of all these information centers that
some viable control of Himalayan
information is feasible, not only at a
local level, but also at the national
and international level, to ensure
effective use of information resources
to the best advantage at a minimum
cost. These days, information is being
regarded as a national resource, and
this awareness has led to computer-
based information services such as
indexing and abstracting at the
national and international levels in
the field of Himalayan studies.9

Considering the importance of HIMIS,
the government of India, through the
agency of the National Information

Systems in Science and Technology
(NISSAT), should aid and support the
proposed HIMIS generously. 

HIMIS is eminently suitable for
several spheres of national activities,
including planning and research.
Reliable and timely information for
decisionmaking becomes increas-
ingly important for India, where a
concept of social welfare has devel-
oped over the past three decades.
Many organizations have success-
fully developed their own informa-
tion systems to plan, monitor, or
control their research activities, and
these have yielded increased research
proficiency. The government should
surely benefit from these methods.
Apart from suggesting suitable solu-
tions to the problems of planning,
monitoring, allocation, control, and
coordination of the departmental
programs, one has to consider the
special distribution of these pro-
grams.10 The need to set up HIMIS
has, therefore, to be considered in the
context of the rapid development of
Himalayan information as well as the
increasing awareness of its relevance
to societal development.11

Objectives of HIMIS

HIMIS will be fully computerized so
that an efficient system of storage and

retrieval could be organized through
networks linking all the Himalayan-
studies centers with each other. The
main objectives of the proposed
HIMIS are listed in appendix A. 

Users of the Proposed
System

The proposed information system is
planned to meet the needs of the
specialists who are directly or indi-
rectly concerned with Himalayan
studies and research as a subject or
as an activity. The following are the
categories of those to whom the
information would be supplied in a
meaningful form within a reason-
able time through HIMIS.

1. planners, policy makers, deci-
sion makers, administrators with
respect to Himalayan develop-
ment at government and non-
government levels;

2. major institutions devoted to
Himalayan study and research
as a discipline;

3. international organizations such
as the United Nations Educa-
tional, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) and the
International Centre for Inte-
grated Mountain Development
(ICIMOD);

Agricultural Information System 

Ahamdabad Library Network 

Biodiversity Conservation Information

System

Calcutta Library Network 

Developing Library Network 

Education Information System

Environmental Information System 

Industrial Information System

Information and Library Network 

Management Library Network 

Medical Information System 

Mysore Library Network 

National Information System for Science 

and Technology

Nutrition Information System

Patent Information System

Project Information System 

Pune Library Network 

Rural Information System

Figure 1. Some of the Current Networking Systems in India 



4. scientists engaged in the imple-
mentation and execution of plans
and policies;

5. scientists and researchers en-
gaged in Himalayan study and
research;

6. teachers engaged in teaching
about the Himalayas;

7. communicators who attempt to
convey the information about
development policies, plans,
programs, and projects; and

8. NGOs working on projects about
Himalayas.

Components of the
Proposed HIMIS

For designing HIMIS, six essential
components have been identified and
proposed: (1) National Resource
Center on Himalayan Studies; (2)
library consortia;  (3) computerization
of Himalayan institutes’ libraries; (4)
information networking between
Himalayan institutes; (5) digitization
of information material on Himalayas;
and (6) Himalayan information gate-
way. Figure 2 depicts the proposed
components.

National Resource Center on

Himalayan Studies

As a part of the information system, a
national-level resource center for
Himalayan studies is also proposed on
the pattern of other information cen-
ters in India, such as the National
Information Center for Management
Information (NICMAN), Ahmedabad,
and the National Information Center
for Food Science and Technology
(NICFOS), Mysore, to name but two.
These information centers have been
established with the financial help of
NISSAT, and at present are working as
sectoral information centers of NIS-
SAT. Figure 3 describes various func-
tions and activities of the proposed
center. The planned objectives of the
resource center are:

� to create a user-need-based infor-
mation-technology (IT) resource
center;

� to develop a strong collection of
different types of information
sources;

� to develop a user-friendly infor-
mation-retrieval mechanism, such
as an online facility for having
access to international databases;

� to create an IT-based infrastruc-
ture;

� to develop a liaison with all
Himalayan studies and research
centers of India and other inter-
national centers for better infor-
mation service through resource
sharing and networking; and

� to provide bibliographies on
selected topics on demand or
even in advance of demand.

Himalayan-Studies

Libraries Consortium

The concept of library consortia has
been floating around for quite some
time in India. Though it is the need of
the hour, Indian libraries have yet to
move in a definite direction in this
regard. Strong resource-sharing activ-
ity among libraries, a prerequisite for
the right attitude towards consortia
activities, has not been as present in
India as could be desired. Sudden
influx of electronic information is forc-
ing library consortia to materialize.13

Traditionally, the primary purpose of
establishing a library consortium is to
share physical resources amongst
members. Access to resources is now
considered more important than col-
lection building, especially if the
access is perpetual in nature. A library
consortium helps libraries to get the
benefit of wider access to electronic
resources at an affordable cost and at
the best terms of license. 

A consortium with the collective
strength of resources of the various
institutions available to it is in a better
position to address and resolve the
problems of managing, organizing,
and archiving electronic resources.14

The Indian National Digital Library in
Science and Technology (INDEST)
Consortium, which is set up by India’s
Ministry of Human Resource and Dev-
elopment, and UGC-Infonet, which is
set up by the University Grant Com-
mission of India are the best example
of library consortia in India. Therefore,
it is also proposed that a consortium of
Himalayan institute’s libraries may be
formed to share the electronic
resources of other libraries.

Computerization of

Himalayan-Studies

Institute’s Libraries

Observance of an adherence to stan-
dard techniques, procedures, and
methods is an essential prerequisite
for the effective functioning of a net-
work. Participating libraries will have
to follow certain procedures and prac-
tices, without which the resources held
by them cannot be effectively and
meaningfully shared. In the context of
library computerization, standardiza-
tion is very necessary in such areas as
classification, subject heading, and cat-
aloging of various types of library
materials; bibliographic description;
and standard interchange of biblio-
graphic data.15

The Himalayan institutes have
started the computerization of their
libraries, beginning with creation of
computerized databases of books,
journals, reports, conference pro-
ceedings, annual reports, and mono-
graphs. But not all the housekeeping
activities have been computerized. It
is, therefore, suggested that every
library should begin the computeri-
zation of each and every one of their
activities. In India, libraries are gen-
erally using Dewey Decimal Class-
ification (DDC) for classification,
Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules
(AACR) for cataloging rules, and
Library of Congress (LC) for subject
headings. Machine-Readable Cata-
loging (MARC) fomat is being used
in the majority of libraries for cre-
ation of the database. 

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A HIMALAYAN STUDIES INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR INDIA | SINGH 39



40 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARIES | MARCH 2005

Himalayan Institute’s

Network

It is also proposed that there is a need
for networking among the Himalayan
Institute’s libraries and information
centers in the country for optimum
resource sharing. Resource sharing
and networking in libraries are power-
ful tools both for increasing productiv-
ity and enhancing services to meet the
changing needs of library users. The
proposed network ensures effective
bibliographic control, document deliv-
ery, cooperative acquisition of serials
and other literature in the field, and
dissemination of relevant information.
All the libraries and information cen-
ters of Himalayan-studies centers of
India (see appendix B) will be linked
to the National Resource Center on
Himalayan Stud-ies. These libraries
have been identified as regional cen-
ters of the proposed HIMIS. A net-
work, in the first instance, envisaged
a physical structure of links among
the libraries and information centers
established by means of computer and
telecommunication links. Resource
sharing is based on the concept that
the collective strength and effective-
ness of a group of libraries is greater
than that of the sum of its individual
members.

Digitization of Himalayan-

Information Sources

Research publications are vital for
any professional discipline, and it is
crucial to preserve and provide access
to them. Due to the amount of impor-
tant information published in jour-
nals, conference proceedings, and
reports, these efforts must be on a par
with similar initiatives in other coun-
tries. Permanent preservation and
enhanced access must be ensured vig-
orously now by the applications of
new technology for digitizing and
electronic access to valuable contents.

Digitization provides unhindered
access to information via computer
and communication networks, justi-

fying the need for using it for study-
ing Himalayan literature. At present,
very few copies of conference vol-
umes, journals, and reports are pub-
lished, and these are exclusively
distributed to subscribers. The insti-
tutions involved rarely encourage
readers to subscribe personally to
such literature, thus placing it out of

the reach of a large number of read-
ers. The paper used for publishing
these types of sources is of inferior
quality, significantly reducing shelf
life. In addition to providing
increased and easy access to these
publications, the most visible benefit
of digitization is the fact that it pre-
serves them.16 Some of the purposes

Figure 2. Components of HIMIS

Figure 3. National Resources Center on Himalayan Studies in India



of digitization, identified by different
ongoing projects, are to:

� collect, store, and organize infor-
mation and knowledge in digital
form;

� promote economic and efficient
delivery of information;

� leverage considerable invest-
ments in computing and com-
munication infrastructures;

� strengthen communication and
collaboration between research,
government, and educational
communities; and

� contribute for lifelong learning
opportunities.

Keeping all of these points in
mind, the digitization of Himalayan
literature—particularly back volumes
of journals, conference proceedings,
annual reports, monographs, reports,
and research papers published by
Himalayan scientists in various jour-
nals, available in Himalayan studies
centers of India—is very necessary.
And it is one of the important and nec-
essary aspects of the proposed HIMIS.

Himalayan-Studies

Information and 

Subject Gateway

One of the major problems in access-
ing information from the Internet is
that it is very difficult and time con-
suming to get reliable and relevant
information in the shortest possible
time. The effective and efficient way
to provide easy access to quality infor-
mation on the Internet is developing
Subject Gateways in specific areas.
“Subject gateways are online services
and sites that provide searchable and
browseable catalogues of Internet-
based resources. Subject gateways
will typically focus on a related set of
academic subject areas.”17

To meet the information require-
ments of the scientific and academic
communities in the digital era, vari-
ous departments in India have devel-
oped or are still in the process of
developing subject gateways in their
respective areas.18 In recent years,
there has been a tremendous explo-
sion of data and information on the

Internet, particularly in the field of
Himalayan resources. As a result, it
has become difficult for an individ-
ual—and also for an organization—
to collect data and information. Thus,
access to the right information at the
right time has become very difficult.19

Since most of the information
related to the Himalayas is scattered
on the Web, it is necessary to develop
a Himalayan-information subject gate-
way. This gateway will provide links
to various libraries and information
centers of R&D institutions, universi-
ties, and NGOs working in the
Himalayan region. This gateway will
be developed on the pattern of the
Sayama Prasad Mookerjee Infor-
mation Gateway of Social Science
(SPMIGSS) developed by the Indian
Council of Social Science Research
(ICSSR).20 The system, therefore, has to
take into account the specific informa-
tion requirements of each develop-
ment sector insofar as its relevance to
the Himalayas is concerned. 

Institutions Engaged in
Himalayan Studies and
Research

To reduce the quantum of information
illiteracy, it is essential that informa-
tion is readily available to an individ-
ual about the agencies that generate
and publish Himalayan informa-
tion—a huge task. The main hurdle
has been the lack of appreciation of
the role and importance of this type of
institutional activity on a continuing
basis. Bearing in mind the concern for
setting up HIMIS, the first step is to
identify the agencies and institutions
that generate Himalayan information.
The information generated by these
institutions may be contained in the
form of files, computerized databases,
reports, institutional publications, dis-
sertations and theses, articles in jour-
nals, and conference and seminar
papers. The information also is accu-
mulated through state-of-the-art
reports, serials, and yearbooks.21 India

ADINET (www.alibnet.org/)

AGRIS (www.fao.org/agris/)

CALIBNET (www.calibnet.org.in/)

CSIR (www.csir.res.in)

DELNET (www.delnet.nic.in/)

DESIDOC (http://drdo.nic.in/labindex.

shtml)

DRDO (http://drdo.nic.in)

DST (www.dst.gov.in/)

ENVIS (http://envis.nic.in/)

HELLIS (www.hellis.org/)

ICAR (www.icar.org.in)

ICFRE (www.icfre.org)

ICSSR (www.icssr.org)

INDEST (http://paniit.iitd.ac.in/indest/)

INFLIBNET (www.inflibnet.ac.in)

MoEF (www.envfor.nic.in)

MYLIBNET (www.mylibnet.org/)

NASSDOC (www.icssr.org/doc_mail.htm)

NICCHEM (www.dsir.nic.in/division/

nissat/nisnat/nics/mh.html)

NICFOS (www.cftri.com/department/

fostis.htm)

NICLAI (www.clri.org/)

NICMAN (www.iimahd.ernet.in/library/)

NISCAIR (www.niscair.res.in)

NISSAT (www.dsir.nic.in/division/nissat/)

PUNENET (www.punenet.com/)

UGC (www.ugc.ac.in)

UGC-Infonet

(http://web.inflibnet.ac.in/info/

ugcinfonet/ugcinfonet.jsp)

Figure 4. URLs of Organizations, Networks, and Systems of India

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A HIMALAYAN STUDIES INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR INDIA | SINGH 41



42 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARIES | MARCH 2005

has a reasonably good institutional
setup for Himalayan research. Figure
5 lists agencies currently involved in
diverse fields of R&D on the
Himalayas. Appendix B lists some of
the institutions that are engaged in
Himalayan studies and research. 22

Conclusion

All Himalayan studies and research
centers have to assume the major
responsibility for developing HIMIS.
The government of India needs to be
convinced of the usefulness and util-
ity of such a system. It is necessary to
emphasize that in the absence of such
an information system, a large
amount of research talent and
resources will be wasted in dupli-
cated efforts. It is hoped that the
Himalayan institutions and scientists
engaged in Himalayan studies and
research will be able to impress upon
the government of India the need for
an early formulation and implemen-
tation of HIMIS.23 This information
system will also supplement the
resources and services of the partici-
pating libraries as “libraries acting
together can more effectively satisfy
user needs and thus meet the objec-
tives at reduced costs.” The success
of the venture shall depend upon
financial support, guidance, and
encouragement received from gov-
ernment of India.24

References

1. R. L. Raina, and I. V. Malhan, eds.,
Business Librarianship and Information Ser-
vices: Proceedings of the IIML-MANLIBNET
3rd Annual National Convention, March
12–14, 2001, Lucknow: (Lucknow: Interna-
tional Book Distributing Co., 2002), v–vii.

2. Shekhar Pathak and Anup Sah,
Kumaon Himalaya, Temptations (Nainital:
Published for Kumaon Mandal Vikas
Nigam Ltd. by Gyanodaya Prakashan,
1993).

3. N. K. Shah, S. D. Bhatt, and R. K.
Pande, Himalaya: Environment Resources
and Development (Almora: Shree Almora
Book Depot, 1990), iii.

4. P. C. Bose, “National Agricultural
Research Information System,” in National
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5. D. E. Avinson and G. Fitzgerald,
Information Systems Development: Method-
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well Scientific, 1988), 7.

6. Ibid., 8.
7. Raymond Prytherch and L. M. Har-

rod, Harrod’s Librarians’ Glossary of Terms
Used in Librarianship, Documentation, and
the Book Crafts, and Reference Book, 6th ed.,
(Aldershot, U.K.: Gower Pub., 1987), 385. 

8. C. M. Bowman, “The Development
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and Ernest Hyde, eds. (Chichester, U.K.:
Ellis Horwood, 1975), 6. 

9. N. K. Goil, “Need for a Social Sci-
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(Delhi: Indian Library Association, 1982),
273–74.

11. S. P. Agrawal, “National Informa-
tion System in Social Sciences,” in Hand-
book of Libraries, Archives and Information
Centers in India, vol. 3, Information Policy
Systems and Networks, B. M. Gupta et al.,
eds. (New Delhi: Information Industry
Pub., 1986), 183.

12. Raina, Roshan, “National Informa-
tion System for Geoscience in India,” in

Twenty-Eighth All-India Library Conference,
October 20–23, 1982, Lucknow: Seminar
Papers of Planning for National Information
System, J. L. Sardana et al., eds. (Delhi:
Indian Library Association, 1982), 262–63.

13. Swati Bhattacharyya, “Library
Consortia: Towards an Action Plan,” in
Business Librarianship and Information Ser-
vices: Proceedings of the IIML-MANLIBNET
3rd Annual National Convention, March
12–14, 2001, Lucknow, R. L. Raina and I. V.
Malhan, eds. (Lucknow: International
Book Distributing Co., 2002), v–vii.

14. Jagdish Arora and Pawan Agrawal,
“Indian National Digital Library in Sci-
ence and Technology (INDEST) Consor-
tium: Consortium-Based Subscription to
Electronic Resources for Technical Educa-
tion System in India,” in Mapping Technol-
ogy on Libraries and People: proceedings of
the Second International Conference Automa-
tion of Libraries in Education and Research
Institutions (Ahmedabad: INFLIBNET,
2003), 272–73. 

15. Hanif Uddin, Md. and Haru-or-
Rashid, Md. (2002), “Networking of Agri-
cultural Information Systems in
Bangladesh (BD-AGRINET): A Model,”
Library Herald 40, no. 1 (2002): 11. 

16. V. K. J. Jeevan, “Digitizing of
Indian Library Science Journals,” Univer-
sity News 39, no. 34 (2001): 5–13.

17. DESIRE Subject Gateways.
Accessed July 30, 2003, www.desire.org/
html/subjectgateways/community/
imesh/.

18. Anil Singh and J. N. Gautam,
“Himalayan Information Subject Gate-
way in Digital Era: A Proposal for Its
Development,” DESIDOC Bulletin of
Information Technology 23, no. 2 (Mar.
2003): 3–9.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) 

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

Department of Science and Technology (DST) 

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 

Indian Council of Forests Research and Education (ICFRE) 

Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)

Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)

Universities Centers under the network of University Grant Commission (UGC) 

Science, Technology, and Environment departments in various Himalayan States 

Figure 5. Agencies Involved in Himalayan Research



19. P. C. Bose, “National Agricultural
Research Information System,” 177.

20. ICSSR Newsletter 23, no. 4 (Jan.–Mar.
2002): 24.

21. Goil, “Need for a Social Science
Information System,” 72–73.

22. P. Pushpangadan and K. Narayanan

Nair, “Future of Systematics and Biodiver-
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23. N. K. Goil, “Need for a Social Sci-
ence Information System,” 92.

24. Amritpal Kuar, “Networking of the
Libraries of Agricultural Universities and
Research Institutes in the States of Punjab,
Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh (PHHAL-
NET): A Proposal,” Library Herald 33, nos.
3–4 (1995–1996): 113.

Appendix A. Main Objectives of HIMIS

The main objectives of the proposed HIMIS are as follows:

� to identify, study, and survey the existing Himalayan information infrastructure in the country;
� to function as an information base so that policy makers, administrators, and scientists can access the computer-

based information in special fields and build up their expertise;
� to function as a computer-based information storage-and-retrieval system database that collects structured informa-

tion generated by research institutions, continuously updating and making the information available to users
� to provide a communications link with international databanks and databases for selective bibliographic informa-

tion to scientists and other users;
� to examine, promote, and develop existing information services and resources to meet the information requirements

of scientists working in the area of Himalayan research;
� to establish and maintain links with other national information centers and systems in the country;12

� to create a linked collection of Internet-based, high-quality Himalayan resources;
� to convert core Indian Himalayan journals, research reports, dissertations, and working papers into digital format;
� to keep Indian databases of Himalayan journals and newsletters of Himalayan Institute’s online;
� to establishing a network of all Himalayan-studies research centers situated in different parts of the country for shar-

ing research resources;
� to provide online information of forthcoming conferences, seminars, and training workshops in Himalayan-research-

and-studies centers in India;
� to provide details of completed and on-going Himalayan-research projects;
� to connect Web sites of Himalayan studies, hill studies departments of major universities, and Himalayan-research

institutes;
� to provide for discussions, chat groups, and video-conferencing facilities for Himalayan scientists;
� to share the resources of other libraries to supplement a library’s own collection;

� to share scientific efforts and expertise; 
� to ensure effective bibliographic control of the literature;
� to facilitate and promote document-delivery and library-lending services; 
� to develop a common collection-development policy;
� to share catalog service and to create a computerized union database;
� to share database services such as abstracting, indexing, and full-text services;
� to collect, store, organize, and retrieve information on all aspects of Himalaya and its interdisciplinary areas con-

tained in various recorded media; and
� to coordinate the existing resources, services, and facilities within India in the field of Himalayan studies. 

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A HIMALAYAN STUDIES INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR INDIA | SINGH 43

Appendix B. Institutions Engaged in Himalayan Research

Universities

Center for Environmental Sciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (http://hpuniv.nic.in/envstu.htm)
Center for Himalayan Studies, University of North Bengal, Darjeeling (www.nbu.ac.in/)
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Mountain and Hill Environment, University of Delhi, Delhi 
G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Ranichauri, Tehri-Garhwal (www.gbpuat.ac.in/)



44 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARIES | MARCH 2005

North East Hill University, Shillong (www.nehu.ac.in/)
High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Center, H. N. B. Garhwal University, Srinagar-Garhwal 
Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan (www.yspuniversity.ac.in/)
Institute of Integrated Himalayan Studies (IIHS), (UGC Center of Excellence)
Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (www.hpuniv.nic.in/)
Institute of Himalayan Studies and Regional Development, Garhwal University, Srinagar-Garhwal 

R&D Institutions

Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi (www.smith.edu/cihts/)
Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, Dahung, Arunachal Pradesh 
Defence Agricultural Research Laboratory (DRDO) Pithoragarh (http://drdo.nic.in/labindex.shtml)
Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment, (DRDO) Chandigarh (http://drdo.nic.in/labindex.shtml)
Temperate Forest Research Institute (ICFRE), Shimla (www.envfor.nic.in/icfre/tfris/tfris.html)
Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla (www.icfre.org/institues/hfri.htm)
Forest Research Institute (ICFRE), Dehradun (www.envfor.nic.in/icfre/fri/fri.html)
Institute of Himalayan Bioresources Technology, (CSIR) Palampur (www.csir.res.in/ihbt/)
Regional Research Laboratory, (CSIR) Jammu Tawi (www.rrljammu.org/)
G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, with its headquarters at Almora; and regional units at

Tadong-Gangtok; Srinagar-Garhwal; Shamshi-Kullu; Itanagar (http://gbpihed.nic.in/)
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, (ICAR) Umroi Road : Barapani, Meghalaya (http://dare.nic.in/icarneh.htm)
Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anushandhanshala (ICAR), Almora (http://vpkas.nic.in/)
Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (ICAR), Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (http://dare.nic.in/cith.htm)
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Regional Station, Palampur (ICAR) (http://ivri.nic.in/)
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Regional Station, Muketeswar (ICAR), Nainital (http://ivri.nic.in/)
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Regional Station, Bhowali–Niglat, Nainital (http://nbpgr.delhi.nic.in/)
North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli, Itanagar (http://agni.nerist.ac.in/)
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, (DST) Dehradun (www.himgeology.com/)
Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun (www.wii.gov.in/)

International Center

International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal (www.icimod.org/)

NGOs

Center of Himalayan Development and Policy Studies, Dehradun 
Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization, Kotdwara (Garhwal), Uttaranchal
Society for Integrated Development of Himalayas (SIDH), Landour Cantt., Musoorie 
Himalayan Action Research Center (HARC), Dehradun 
Himalayan Study Circle, Pithoragarh
People’s Association for Himalayan Area Research (PAHAR), Nainital 
The Himalaya Trust, Dehradun 
The Himalayan Foundation, Nandprayag, Chamoli Distt
Research, Advocacy, and Communication in Himalayan Areas (RACHNA), Dehradun 
Central Himalayan Environment Association, Nainital
Himalayan Region Study and Research Center Institute, New Delhi
Himalayan Seva Sangh, New Delhi 
Himalayan Research Group, Nainital 
Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation, New Delhi 
Himalayan Institute of Action Research and Development, Dehradun