SRINAGAR: Space-based technologies are playing a critical role in disaster monitoring and response in Jammu and Kashmir, with satellite inputs being extensively used for tracking floods, landslides and forest fires, the Centre informed Parliament on Monday.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said geospatial products such as flood inundation maps, landslide inventories and forest fire alerts are being generated and disseminated through ISRO’s geoportals, including Bhuvan and the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM).
He said ISRO has also developed a customised mobile application and dashboard for the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department to enable real-time forest fire reporting and monitoring using geospatial technology.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), under the Department of Space, is working closely with the Jammu and Kashmir Remote Sensing Application Centre (JKRSAC) for implementing key space application programmes in the Union Territory.
These include initiatives such as the Natural Resources Census, National Wetland Inventory, biodiversity mapping, and desertification and land degradation assessment, along with disaster management support systems.
The Space-Based Information Support for Decentralised Planning (SIS-DP) programme has also been executed jointly to support evidence-based planning across sectors like agriculture, forestry, rural development and watershed management.
To promote space science education and research in the region, ISRO has established the Satish Dhawan Centre for Space Science at the Central University of Jammu. The facility enables faculty and students to access ISRO infrastructure and develop expertise in space technology.
In addition, Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC) at NIT Jalandhar and the Regional Academic Centre for Space (RACS) at NIT Kurukshetra cater to the northern region, including Jammu and Kashmir, offering students opportunities to work on ISRO-linked projects.
Students and institutions across the region can submit research proposals under these programmes, allowing wider participation in space technology initiatives.
ISRO’s RESPOND programme further extends opportunities nationwide, enabling academic institutions to undertake sponsored research in space science and applications.
The minister said ISRO is also supporting disaster early warning and response coordination through the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM), which operates under the Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
NDEM integrates satellite-based inputs with alerts from agencies such as the India Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission and Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment. It also provides decision-support tools for emergency response and post-disaster assessments.
The system hosts data from the India Disaster Resource Network, enabling authorities to coordinate resources effectively during emergencies.
The government said the integration of space technology into disaster management has significantly enhanced preparedness, response and planning capabilities in vulnerable regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
