Remote sensing of environment - critical issues

Abstract

An ecologically sustained environment is basically needed for achieving selfreliance in food, fodder and water requirements. In order to achieve the self-reliance in natural resources environment the holistic approach on every resource sector need to be concentrated in all levels of local, regional and global scales. The increase in population both human and livestock is further aggravating the demands on land, forcing decrease in per capita land either for agriculture or for fodder. The present 0.17 hectare per capita agricultural land in India indicates unsustainable nature to meet the food grain demand for the growing population. On the other hand we have in India around 2.38 lakh sq.km of waste lands which can be brought to agriculture in order to meet the gap in the food grain production. The reclamation and conservation of wastelands for bringing more area under agriculture needs a greater attention wherein sound ecological practices can only provide solutions. The use of satellite remote sensing and the availability of IRS1A and IB would further enhance the scope and provide information on all the vital resources sectors in a time and cost effective manner. The concept of "productivity per unit of water" need to be given adequate importance in all the environmental management programmed rather than concentrating on "productivity per unit area". The ecological degradation that is presently draining our country's vast natural resources can only be halted by the concerted effort by all the section of scientists who can provide solutions and create greater awareness on ecological conservation to preserve and nurture the India's environment on a sustained basis. The estimates, statistics and figures have always been the subject of conflict and debate. Whatever is the accuracy on reliability on these projections and estimates we are amply sure and convinced that our environment is threatened. The adoption of modern technological tools such as remote sensing would certainly provide greater insights synoptically on a time and cost effective manner.