Establishment OF SENRIC

Since the inception of SACEP exchange and access to information was seen as a priority for the development of the region. To facilitate this, the Regional Environmental and Natural Resources Information Centre (RENRIC) was established in July 1990 with the support from the Asian Development Bank. The broad objectives of RENRIC were:

a) Establishment of an environmental and natural resources clearing-house within the SACEP Secretariat;
b) Establishment of an environmental and natural resources information network within the SACEP membership;
c) Provision of an information network system including appropriate hardware and software;
d) Provision of advisory support and training for member country representatives

Under RENRIC several publications and networking activities were also carried out (1991 - 1994).

Database on Environmental Legislation, 1991

Database on Environmental Training and Research Institutions

Database on Environmental Experts, 1991

Report on the Environmental Information System (ENVIS), India , 1991

Report on the South Asian Experience on Appropriate Research and Development

Report on the 100 million trees programme

The partnership forged led to the progression of RENRIC into the establishment of the South Asia Environment and Natural Resources Information Centre (SENRIC). This was was sponsored by the ADB and UNEP Global Resources Information Database (UNEP-GRID).

SENRIC's early activities assisted UNEP RRC.AP programme on "Environment and Natural Resources Information Networking" (ENRIN) in Asia and the Pacific Region.

Through the years 1994 - 1997, SENRIC pursued Training, Data Management activities.

Activities carried out included:

  Preparation of GIS Training Manuals (Professional and Policy Level)

  Training of Trainers (GIS and Image Processing / Remote Sensing)

  Setup of GIS Training Units ( University of Peradeniya , Sri Lanka )

  Setup of National Coordinating Units at the Ministries of Environment ( Sri Lanka , Maldives )

  Provision of Hardware and Software in the region

At present activities focus on assessment and reporting (see projects)