Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Node on Microorganisms and Environment Management has been set-up and functioning since June 2002 in the Department of Zoology, University of Madras with the goal of collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information on the biodiversity of microbes and its potential applications in the environmental clean-up programmes. With these objectives, our ENVIS Centre strive to provide valuable information, up-to-date references, technological applications and solutions on the assigned subject area to user community through online and offline services. The outline of our ENVIS activities and services are as follows:-

1. Building up a good collection of books, reports and journals in the particular subject area of environment;
   
   
2. Establishment of a data bank on some selected parameters relating to the subject area;
   
   
3. Coordination with the Focal Point for the supply of relevant, adequate and timely information to the users;
   
   
4. Bringing out newsletters/publications in their subject area for wide dissemination.
   
   
5. Referral Services
   
   
6. Abstracting Services
   
   
7. Documentation Services
   1. Publication of ENVIS-Centre Newsletter
   2. Compilation and publication of abstracts and other important documents on“Microorganisms and Environment Management “
      
      
8. Establishing linkages with all ENVIS Centers and other relevant organizations
   
   
9. Providing conference/symposium/jobs related information on its assigned subject area
   
   
10. Query and Answering Services
    
    
11. Press clipping services
    
    
12. Database is being regularly updated/strengthened through collection, collation and storage of new scientific and technical information.
    
    
13. Development of Databases
    1. Experts Directory on Microorganisms and Environment Management