ISRO to help Assam in use of space technology

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 4: Secretary of the Department of Space AS Kiran Kumar, who is also the chairman of ISRO, today assured all cooperation and assistance to Assam in use of space technology for larger public good. The assurance came as a response to a request from Assam Minister Science and Technology Minister Keshab Mahanta who requested the ISRO to set up  an  Indian Institute of Remote Sensing and Indian Institute of Space Technology in Guwahati.

A meeting was held today between Mahanta and Kumar in the conference hall of the minister at Dispur. The meeting was attended by State Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, Additiol Chief Secretary KV Eapan and others.

The officials from ISRO and NESAC made a presentation to the minister briefing him about the various programmes that Department of Space, Government of India in use of Space and remote sensing technology. The presentation outlined the availability of data in time series of the land use and land cover for last 10 years. It was stated that this could be used to alyse the land cover of the State. It was also informed that data relating to surface water bodies was available on 15 days duration for water bodies which are more than 2.5 hectares in area. The officials said about the usage of this technology in various areas like disaster risk reduction, forest and wetland mapping, telemedicine, tele-education etc. They particularly appreciated the work done by NESAC on FLEWS (Flood Early Warning System)  and Flood Hazard mapping by NRSC in Assam.

The minister requested Chairman ISRO to set up an  Indian Institute of Remote Sensing and Indian Institute of Space Technology in Guwahati. He stated that this would provide the youth of this region an opportunity to participate in space programme of the country. He further stated that such regiol institutions are important for this strategically important and tural hazard prone region. ISRO was requested to assist the Assam in preparation of strategy for PMKSY. It was decided that the first version of Assam River Atlas would be given in next 2 months to Assam and the advanced atlas would be submitted in future. The minister also advised ISRO to prepare a roadmap for development of ARSAC (Assam Remote Sensing Application Centre). It was decided that the space technology meet of the state would be conducted within this month. The minister also desired that a workshop with all the departments of the government should be conducted by Department of Space, Government of India to ensure that all information and research is brought on the common platform that is, BHUVAN portal for use by departments and the people. It was suggested that the workshop also may work out on Mobile Apps for better dissemition of information and as a mechanism of feedback as well.