Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) What is ENVIS?

ENVIS Stands for Environment Information System. Realising the importance of Environmental Information, the Government of India, in December, 1982, established an Environmental Information System (ENVIS) as a plan programme. The focus of ENVIS since inception has been on providing environmental information to decision makers, policy planners, scientists and engineers, research workers, etc. all over the country. Since environment is a broad-ranging, multi-disciplinary subject, a comprehensive information system on environment would necessarily involve effective participation of concerned institutions/ organisations in the country that are actively engaged in work relating to different subject areas of environment. ENVIS has, therefore, developed itself with a network of such participating institutions/organisations for the programme to be meaningful. A large number of nodes, known as ENVIS Centres, have been established in the network to cover the broad subject areas of environment with a Focal Point in the Ministry of Environment & Forests. There are total 68 ENVIS Centres all over India, which are assigned with different subjects and topics.
For more information visit http://envis.nic.in/

2) What is the role/ activities of IITM-ENVIS centre?

Our centre is subject specific and deals with "Atmospheric Pollution and Climate Change", our role is to systematically collect, compile and disseminate numerical and statistical data on topics related to acid rain, atmospheric pollution, climate change, global warming etc.

3) What are the aims / goal / target of your centre?

Our aim is to develop countries biggest and richest data warehouse on thematic area atmospheric pollution and climate change. For the purpose information is collected for local, regional and global level, which will be of immense use to several research organizations, academicians, policy makers and other stakeholders.

4) What type of data is available with your centre and how can I get it?

Our centre holds a vast data repository which contains data on acid rain monitoring projects, air quality, emissions, meteorology, agriculture, transport, fuel consumption, major air pollution sources such as thermal power plants and industries. The secondary links are also given to various organizations working on air quality/ air pollution. This information is easily accessible on our website.
For further information you can mail us on iitm-env@nic.in

5) What measures have been taken by your centre to disseminate available information/ data to public?

Our centre conducts awareness programmes. Visits of school and college students have been organized frequently and training programmes are conducted. Newsletters are published pertaining to subject area, which are circulated in some of the schools and colleges in and around the centre, Pamphlets are circulated related to an issue. For convenience the centre’s website is made available in three different languages (English, Hindi & Marathi).

6) How can I subscribe for your centre newsletter? And are there any charges for it?

You can download newsletter from our website. There are no charges for subscription. If interested in hard/ printed copy you can send a request via mail or visit our centre.

7) Which types of books are available with your centre? And can I get them for reference?

There are reference books, journals, magazines, reports of various institutions available with the centre. The list is uploaded on the website. The books can be issued through a request sent via mail or in person.

8) How can our institute/ college visit your centre? What is the procedure for it?

You can send a request via mail to visit the centre. For address and contact numbers please visit our webpage - contact us.

9) How can I get the basic scientific information on acid rain, atmospheric pollution and climate change?

The maximum information is available on our website, however for more details you can contact us via mail.

10) Can I submit the articles/ photographs/ videos to your centre relevant to your thematic area?

Yes, you are most welcome to contribute your valuable inputs to our centre.

In case of more queries feel free to contact us