Enhancing disaster preparedness and mitigation, BIG Launches DEMNAS

Some natural disasters in several regions in Indonesia should be of concern to various parties. As a state agency that has the main task in the field of geospatial information, the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) encourages the use of geospatial data to improve disaster preparedness and mitigation.

One of the geospatial data that can be utilized is Digital Elevation Model (DEM) or known as digital elevation data modeling.

Wiwin Ambarwulan as the Head of the BIG Research, Promotion and Collaboration Center revealed that DEM is very much needed for various aspects of development. "One of them is that DEM can be used to see disaster-prone points," said Wiwin.

This was stated by Wiwin in a discussion entitled "Polemics: Disaster Maps, Risks and Prevention" at D'Consulate Resto, Jakarta (4/5).

Wiwin added that the need to achieve national development goals requires participation from policy makers with the geospatial data being a consideration tool in planning development.

Moreover, although each policy maker in the region knows about the characteristics and conditions of the region, DEM data have scientific calculations for disaster mitigation needs.

DEM itself is geospatial information that represents a 3-dimensional earth in the form of elevation data modeling. The information contained in the DEM can be used for spatial planning, coastline withdrawal, natural resource management, to disaster mitigation.

On the same occasion, Fifik Syafiudin, Head of the Small and Medium Scale Rupabumi Mapping Division, said that DEM had been carried out in all regions of Indonesia comprehensively. "The level of accuracy has reached 10 meters and this is the best coverage in the world," Ibnu added.

Fifik hopes that the massive use of DEM in particular can improve disaster preparedness and mitigation, as Indonesia is known for its disaster prone geographical conditions.

For example the flood disaster in Sentani some time ago the impact of disasters can be minimized if DEM data can be used and become a development planning tool in the area.

"People who want to know more details about the National DEM and its use can be seen on the website tides.big.go.id," Ibnu added.

Besides Wiwin Ambarwulan and Fifik Syafiudin, also attending the discussion were Agus Budianto (Head of the PVMBG Soil Movement Mitigation), Rahmat Triyono (Head of the Earthquake Center and Tsumani MBKG), and Manlian Ronald (UPH Professor).

###

Regarding Geospatial Information Agency

Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) was born to replace the National Survey and Mapping Coordinating Board (BAKOSURTANAL) as the mandatory harvest of article 22 of Law Number 4 of 2011 concerning Geospatial Information (IG). This law was approved by the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia on April 15, 2011 and passed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on April 21, 2011. The birth of BIG was marked by the signing of Presidential Regulation No. 94 of 2011 concerning Geospatial Information Agency on December 27, 2011 .

Based on Chapter XI Article 69 of the Law on Geospatial Information which is then further elaborated into Transitional Provisions of Chapter VII Article 40 of the Presidential Regulation on Geospatial Information Agencies, it is stated that the field of tasks related to geospatial information will continue to be carried out by BAKOSURTANAL until the completion of the BIG organizational arrangement. BAKOSURTANAL is required to submit all archives and documents relating to the implementation of its duties to BIG and all BAKOSURTANAL rights and obligations, unless otherwise stipulated by legislation, turn to BIG.

###

For further information, please contact.