It violates the right to access environmental information, and contradicts existing government policies that encourage the sharing of data. The draft Geospatial Information Regulation Bill 2016 , which places severe restrictions on the acquisition, use and dissemination of geospatial information, has attracted sharp criticism for its potential to obstruct technological innovation. An equally damaging effect that the Bill might have is to hinder independent environmental
Debadityo Sinha is an award-winning Indian ecologist and conservationist with a keen interest in studying the impact of law, policy, politics, and culture on conservation. He is the founder and Managing Trustee of 'Vindhyan Ecology & Natural History Foundation', and a member of IUCN Species Survival Commission- Bear Specialist Group. He is associated with Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy as a Senior Resident Fellow and leading the environmental law vertical.