The North-Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) near Shillong in Meghalaya has taken up many projects. These include creation of data base on Meghalaya’s natural resources and remote sensing-based inputs for preparing a pilot project for the Assam Forest Department. The Centre is also collecting data for early warning on the break-out of Japanese encephalitis. Its other programmes include a study on the changes in the channel system of the Bramhaputra and Barak rivers. It is also studying the urban sprawl in Tinsukia (Assam), Aizawl (Mizoram) and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh). Monitoring of the decline in production of citrus in Meghalaya, landslide hazard zonation of the Shillong-Silchur-Aizawl highway and a pilot project for Meghalaya’s road network mapping are among the tasks the Centre is presently engaged in.
NE-SAC is an autonomous institution under the Department of Space. It is presided over by the Chairman, North-Eastern Council. Its governing council is headed by the Secretary, Department of Space. The thrust areas of the Centre’s activities are remote sensing applications, satellite applications in communications and space science research-all specific to the North-Eastern Region.
The Centre has so far completed the mapping of deforestation in the Sonitpur district of Assam, assessment of erosion hazards of the catchment areas of the Umiam reservoir in Meghalaya and the urban sprawl study of Shillong city. Besides, the Centre has completed the mapping of Meghalaya’s bamboo resource. (PIB Special Services)
(Release ID :641)