SHILLONG, Feb 21 – Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, North East Space Application Centre (NE-SAC), Dr K Kasturirangan is of the view that the Centre would play a vital role of integrating space technology with the overall development of the region. He was addressing the second governing council meeting of the NE-SAC at Hotel Pine Wood here on February 19, NEC sources said.
The Centre has so far set up a ‘state-of-the-art’ remote sensing and GIS laboratories and mobile communication facilities to face any event of disaster. Dr PS Roy, Dean, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun and former Director, NE-SAC presented a overview of different activities undertaken by the Centre and future programmes to be undertaken. The Centre has also commissioned twelve direct reception sets, one each in each State headquarters of the North Eastern States, on a satellite link.
Highlighting few important projects completed in the last one year by the NE-SAC, Dr Roy said mapping of deforestation in Sonitpur district of Assam has been undertaken. The study shows a significant accelerated decline in the forest cover by 1.7 per cent involving an area of 230 sq. km. area between 1990-91 to 2001. The Centre has completed an erosion hazard assessment and prioritisation of special watershed for consservation planning of Umiam (Barapani) reservoir catchment in Meghalaya.
Bamboo resource mapping of Meghalaya using satellite remote sensing and GIS has been also completed. The Centre has further initiated a project for natural resources information system for North Eastern region in coordination with the State departments for creation of database which may be used to develop ‘Action Plan’ for sustainable development of the region.
The NE-SAC, set up in September 2000, in collaboration with the department of Space and the North Eastern Council (NEC), is also taking up a ‘urban sprawl study’ for the North Eastern region,’ and a technology mission for integrated development of horticulture. The second meeting of the NE-SAC Society was also held here the same day with Lt. Gen (retd.) S K Sinha, Chairman, NEC and Governor of Assam, in the chair.