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Dean,Indian Institute Remote Sensing, Dehradun Email: dean@del2.vsnl.net.in Introduction Assessment of natural resources is an imperative for planning and development of the society. India with its vast natural resources and population to support our needs, very effective mapping, monitoring and management techniques. Effectiveness of the development lies in the success of integrating, technology, economics, resources and social needs. Increasing human intervention in natural system, environmental pollution, accelerating process of development beyond the carrying capacity and pollution rise have shown the warning signals in the form of climate and environmental change. There is a need for new partnership to resolve interlinked problem of environment, and development sustainability as guiding principles[1]. Time bound action plan would be required to forge sustainable development and environmental management with the involvement of educationists, technologists, scientific community, non-government sectors and industry. Earth observation is the most spectacular peaceful use of space based endeavor. It has introduced new dimensions in the study and understanding of environment, earth's processes and in improving the quality of human life. The satellite remote sensing program, in the recent past, has had immediate social and economical impacts in natural resource management. The space technology in totality cover large canvas of benefits: global and remote area education, TV broadcast, education, weather forecasting, managing of land and water resources, protection of environment timely information on disasters, supporting abating and mitigating disasters. Thus addressing almost every aspect of human needs. Remote Sensing -Technology and Applications Remote sensing program is an important component in space science and technology. The operational applications are firmly established in the field of agriculture, forestry, range management, geology, water resources and infrastructure mapping in urban environment. Internal The technology has been directly linked to the socio-economic programs. The socio-economic programs like, wasteland reclamation for fuelwood and fodder, planning of developmental activities like building dams, highway irrigation canal, drinking water supply to remote villages, aquaculture site location, providing information on potential fish schools to fishermen are only a few examples of grass-root level applications that remote sensing can provide. Geographic Information System (GIS) which allows to integrate spatial and non-spatial data has opened up applications for integrated resource analysis and developing decision support system. The technology has a great relevance in developing countries for various applications of natural resource management and monitoring. The application driven approach adopted by the Indian Remote Sensing Program has enabled the optimum utilization of this technology to address national priority issues. To achieve this National Natural Resource Management System (NNRMS) - an integrated resource management system aimed at optimal utilization of country's natural resources by a systematic inventory of resources using remote sensing data in conjunction with conventional technique is evolved as an national initiative Technology Transfer India's space program is designed to provide answer to the grassroot needs. It has provided constant focus on the concept of passing on the technology to the users directly. Major thrust has been to build user infrastructure, demonstrate applications, designing management models, training, education and research to find appropriate solutions. Effective utilization of any technology depends mainly on the trained manpower. To achieve effectiveness of user assimilation and institutionalization effective education and training programs are to be imbibed with the philosophy of "transfer of the state-of-art technology". Concept of NNRMS A concept conceived with the planning commission of India is National Natural Resource Management System (PC-NNRMS) is being coordinated by the Department of Space. Nine Standing Committees have been constituted under the umbrella of NNRMS in the field of Agriculture, Forestry, Geology, Oceanography, Soils & Landuse, Water Resources, Urban and Regional Planning and Cartography and Training with leading experts from various organizations in India as the members of the standing committee. NNRMS promotes the training and manpower developed in the field of remote sensing applications to various natural resource management area. One of the Standing Committee deals with Technology promotion, education and Training (SC-T). The constitution of SC-T is to act as nodal committee among various units pertaining to education and training such as University Grant Commission (UGC), National Center for Education, Research and Training (NCERT) and Dept. of Space (DOS) in human resource development using remote sensing and GIS technology for various natural resources management. In addition to this technology transfer is also one of the prime objective of this committee. The key players in this process are National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Space Applications Centre (SAC) and Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSC's). Standing Committee on Training Under the Standing Committee on Training an Inter-departmental Committee for promotion of Remote Sensing in Education & Training has been set up. Need for improving facilities at College/Institutions and funding support for minimum facility for PC-based Image Processing system and data products for Training & Education of college students has been recommended. NNRMS sponsors specialized training programs for the benefit of university faculty, professionals working in States/Central Government agencies, etc. During 1998-99, 30 training programs/awareness workshops were conducted by various institutions covering different application areas. As many as 1200 persons were benefited by these courses. During 1999-2000 as many as 46 training programs were proposed by NNRMS and most of them have already been conducted. Lead institutions/training centres of the country offer training courses in different disciplines at different levels for ex.short term, mid term to long term courses. Mid and long term courses are benefited by working level group while short-term courses are for decision-makers. Satellite data containing remote sensing images pertaining to the different themes are disseminated by National Remote Sensing Agency to promote remote sensing among the students. Remote Sensing Curriculum for PostGraduate Science and Graduate level Engineering subjects has been worked out and published as Curriculum Development Report by UGC and DOS and circulated to universities. Remote Sensing has been introduced as part of Science/Engineering/ Agriculture Curriculum in about 125 Departments coming under 75 Indian Universities. Remote sensing has been introduced as part of NCERT Geography Books of Senior Secondary level and Science Book of Higher Secondary level. Remote Sensing has been introduced as part of 10th standard Geography, Physics book of many state government syllabuses. The UGC, AICTE and DST have funded several Universities and Engineering Institutions for remote sensing projects and establishment of remote sensing laboratory facilities. State Remote Sensing Application Centres apart from other training institutions also conduct training programs on need and request basis.
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