Physical Modelling of Nanda Devi National Park, a Natural World Heritage Site, from GIS Data

A groundbreaking physical model of Nanda Devi National Park was successfully created using additive manufacturing (3D printing) from GIS-derived elevation data. This innovative approach addresses the limitations of traditional 2D digital elevation models (DEMs), which lack depth information, by converting ASCII XYZ DEM files into 3D STL formats with added bases and sides to account for data gaps and singularities. The resulting model not only serves as an effective communication tool for conservation managers but also holds significant potential for long-term monitoring of Himalayan heritage sites. Researchers highlight that this method could be expanded to larger or more detailed models, enhancing our understanding of glacial valleys and peaks like Nanda Devi while providing a scalable solution for UNESCO site preservation.

Agrawal, S., & Jain, A. (2022). Physical Modelling of Nanda Devi National Park, a Natural World Heritage Site, from GIS Data. Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization, 57(2), 179–194. https://doi.org/10.3138/cart-2021-0025