Earth observation systems for sustainable development: Indian experience

Abstract

Adoption of eco-friendly sustainable development strategies has become an imperative necessity to achieve economic and food security while maintaining environmental harmony. The Earth Observation (EO) satellites playa significant role in determining, enhancing and monitoring the overall carrying capacity of the earth. The repetitive satellite remote sensing over various spatial and temporal scales offer the most economic and timely accessibility of environmental parameters and study of impact of development processes. Realizing the vast potential ofdata from EO satellites, India has established a strong applications programme to take remote sensing technology to grassroot level, in support of the locale-specific development. A number of joint experiment projects have been taken up with different user departments to demonstrate the potential ofremote sensing for resource monitoring and management in different fields. An important project namely, the Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD) taken up in India for 174 districts covering 84 M ha aimed at generation of locale specific action plans for suggesting alternate land use plans, soil conservation, surface water harvesting and ground water exploitation! recharge for sustainable development of land and water resources. In many of the watersheds, plans are being implemented by the government as well as by the voluntary agencies. The remote sensing programme is also backed up with adequate and appropriate infrastructure development and capacity building in terms of trained manpower and technology base.