The National Environmental Atlas, taking final shape at the National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) here, will be of immense help for environmental workers and academicians, said NATMO director Prithvi Nag.

``The unique map, giving details of the air and water pollution levels, droughts, floods and earthquake prone zones in the country, will be ready in six months time,'' Nag said.

The data obtained through hi-tech satellite imagery is being compiled into a single volume with colourful pictographs and other basic atlas details.

However, very specific regional natural hazards like avalanches in the Himalayan range have not been depicted in the atlas, he said. ``These are extremely localised and irregular phenomena...It is very difficult for cartographers to identify exact positions forsuch hazards''.

The atlas will also be of immense help to insurance companies keen on formulating `region specific' policies and strategies for natural hazard prone areas.

``Relief organisations working in the difficult areas devastated with natural calamities and pollution control agencies will also benefit from the atlas,'' Nag said.

The project being implemented by NATMO, under the Union Department of Science and Technology, is being funded by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.