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RS : January - February 1999
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Remote Sensing Protects Ancient Forests
ISRO plans to tie up with French Agency for Climatesat
Oceansat to be launched in April'99
Satellite Remote Sensing data helps in Wildlife Management
Preservation of Bio-Diversity: Growing Realisation
Remote Sensing Protects Ancient Forests
Svetetogorsk takes the lead
Here is an example on how satellite imageries influence a policy decision. New maps produced by Greenpeace and The Biodiversity Conservation Centre showing the decline in ancient forests in Russia based on satellite images have prompted the Svetogorsk pulp and paper mill, a major paper producer in Russia to phase out the use of ancient forest wood in its production entirely. The mill owned by a Swedish company, Tetra Laval, produces 180,000 tonnes of printing paper per year. 70% of the production is exported to Europe and America. The Svetogorsk Mill, located in the Leningrad region will introduce a major provision in its policy to ensure that no wood from ancient forests is processed. The information provided by Greenpeace GIS mapping project is startling. At a glance, anyone can see that ancient forests in Western Russia are getting smaller and more fragmented every day. Greenpeace has used the Remote Sensing technology and on-the-ground verification to produce detailed maps showing forest areas down to 20,000 ha in size. It is planning to provide this information to companies using wood products in Russia and Europe so that they can demand ancient forest-free products from their supplier. The decision of the Svetogorsk mill shows that it is possible to protect these forests and continue industrial production. In fact, there is in an urgent need to carry out such studies using GIS to give a graphical presentation to fast reducing forest areas of India and also for the industries to respect the needs of environment and understand the importance of forest. Are industries in India ready to take initiatives on the lines similar to Svetogorsk?
For details: www.greenpeace.org/pressreleases/forests/1998dec17.html
ISRO plans to tie up with French agency for Climatsat
India is exploring the possibilities of joining the hands with French space agency, Centre Nationale Etu Space (CNES) to build Climatsat, a Remote Sensing satellite for collecting climate related information. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hopes that it would be possible to use the structure of Proteus satellite developed by the French. Both India and France could provide the sensors for the satellite planned to be launched around the year 2003. Climatsat could be launched by India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
OCEANSAT to be launched in April ’99
The first indigenous satellite on Oceanographic studies, Oceansat-1, is likely
to be launched in the second-half of April, 1999 by the Indian Space Research Organisation. Dedicated fully for the study of oceans, Oceansat will study the surface temperature of the surface of the ocean for the department of Meteorology, an ocean colour monitor and another payload that would determine the density of ocean mass and sediments, wind speed and other parameters of relevance to meteorology.
Besides first Indian satellite, Oceansat (IRS-P4), the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C2 will also carry a 50-kg Korean satellite with a scientific payload and a 110-kg German Satellite.
According to ISRO Chairman, Dr. K. Kasturirangan, the execution of Oceansat will bring a magnificent change in the overall application scenario of IRS-P5 (Cartostat) and IRS-P6 (Resourcesat). The final coalition of the payload for the Korean satellite is still awaited from the Satellite Application Centre, Ahmedabad. According to him, International recognition of the IRS satellite constellation due to marketing by the US-based space imaging/coast marketing is good news.
With the exact date of launch yet to be decided, it hoped that within five-six months, 10 ground stations in various parts of the world will start receiving IRS data now IRS is 12% market holder of Global Remote Sensing .
Satellite Remote Sensing Data helps in Wildlife Management
Traces elephant movements in North Bengal
According to a recent study, the satellite remote sensing data can be of great help in quick assessment and real time monitoring of existing resources and wildlife habitat management. Two scientists, Dr. S. Sudhakar and Dr. K. Rajesh from the Regional Remote Sensing Service Centre, Kharagpur and Mr. A. K. Raha of wildlife division, State Forest Department, West Bengal submitted a study paper at an international workshop on "Image and Shape Analysis" at Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta. The scientists have used the satellite data to trace the elephant movement in north Bengal that has become a big worry to forest officials in view of widespread depredation by marauding elephants in this region every year. Three major elephant routes could be identified by the study team – west of Teesta river, between Teesta and Torsarivers and east of Torsa river, with the route between Teesta and Torsa considered as ‘high conflict zone’. The study also traced five other elephant corridors cutting across the international border, involving India, Nepal and Bhutan – Nepal-Panighata, Jiti-Bhutan, Bhutanghat (India) – Bhutan and Sankosh (Assam) – Bhutan .
Preservation of Biodiversity: Growing Relisation
India fast losing its natural wealth due to mindless human interventions, lack of data further compounding the problem.
The departments of Space and Biotechnology have launched an ambitious project for a comprehensive survey and classification of all biodiversity-rich areas in India. Treasurer of most of the rich flora and fauna in the world, India certainly needs to be saved from ecological degradation. NRSA hopes to complete the first phase of this Rs.8 crore project by the end of next year. NRSA will be documenting and cataloguing this rich repository of natural wealth using imaging techniques; the first step being identification and classification of biodiversity areas into various groups. Documentation in detail of the wide varieties of plant wealth being the next; prioritized action plans for their preservation will finally be suggested.
For details, contact: Dr. D. P. Rao, Director, NRSA, Hyderabad.
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