The Hindu Business Line : `Remote sensing a powerful tool for planning process'

REMOTE sensing is an extremely powerful tool for both national and village level planning, said Dr R.R. Navalgund, Director, National Remote Sensing Agency.

Making a presentation on `Decentralised planning - remote sensing inputs' at the ongoing annual convention of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, he said the cameras of the recently launched IRS-P6 satellite (RESOURCESAT) were powerful enough for local level planning, while also being capable of meeting national requirements.

Possession of a reliable database with information on natural resources, demographic information and so on is an important part of the decentralised planning process. The relevance of remote sensing lies in the fact that it facilitates the creation of such a database, even at the block and village level, and monitors this on a continuous basis, he explained. Similarly, application of remote sensing techniques enables planners to prioritise different initiatives, while constantly updating their inventory of natural resources, he added.

Similarly, the use of remote sensing makes it possible to carry out an objective and transparent assessment of the resources available within a specific geographic or demographic unit, Dr Navalgund explained. The discipline also has specific applications in areas such as agriculture, water resources management, management of forest resources, infrastructure facilities and so on, all of which are important components of the planning process, he pointed out.

For instance, in agriculture alone, remote sensing can throw up information on a range of issues. Using remote sensing it is possible to identify waste land that can be put to productive use and then develop an action plan for the use of this land in consultation with the people of the concerned village or district. Similarly, information at the village or district level can be provided on crop rotation, progress of sowing and so on. Another application of remote sensing in agriculture is to develop a crop inventory, said Dr Navalgund. The information generated by all this activity functions as a crucial input in the planning process.

Another area related to planning in which remote sensing can play a significant role is water resources management, he explained. Remote sensing data can be shared with water users associations, which can then use it for a number of purposes. They can, for example, use it to determine water-sharing patterns, determine overall water usage, and assist water tax collection. It can also be used to assess the availability of ground water resources and the efficiency of the utilisation of irrigation facilities in a specific area, he added.

Large-scale digital topographic mapping for decisions on infrastructure development and provision of utilities is yet another use to which remote sensing can be put. In this case too, the data generated can be used as part of the planning process.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
US Fed: Words drive markets

Oman invites ICAI to develop accounting profession

Manipal Hospital to offer rehab, sports medicine

BPCL health camp in Coimbatore

Karnataka to woo private investors to develop minor, intermediate ports

Hindustan Petro keen to complete pipeline project in 3 years

BPCL policy for crude risk management soon

Fuelling demand

NTPC's Kayankulam thermal plant being repaired

LS passes taxation law Bill

Buyer-seller meet of SSIs