Leh, Aug 21: The Government of India is undertaking several projects to enhance satellite-based communication and remote sensing in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
These efforts aim to improve telecommunication, disaster management and resource monitoring in the strategically important region.
According to the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and the Prime Minister’s Office, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing multiple satellites, including Resourcesat-3 and 3A, Resourcesat-3S and 3SA, HRSAT, G20 Satellite, and TRISHNA Satellite, scheduled for launch by 2027-2028.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space said, “ISRO is realising Resourcesat-3 & 3A, Resourcesat-3S & 3SA, HRSAT, G20 Satellite and TRISHNA Satellite by 2027-2028, to improve remote sensing observations in the country, benefiting the Union Territory of Ladakh also. Data from in-orbit Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (Cartosat-2 series, Cartosat-3, Resourcesat-2 & 2A, RISAT-1A, INSAT-3DR & 3DS, Oceansat-3, SARAL and NISAR) are also available over India, including the Union Territory of Ladakh.”
These satellites will improve remote sensing observations, benefitting Ladakh along with the rest of the country.
Currently, various Indian remote sensing satellites such as Cartosat-2 series, Cartosat-3, Resourcesat-2 and 2A, RISAT-1A, INSAT-3DR and 3DS, Oceansat-3, SARAL, and NISAR provide data coverage over Ladakh, Singh said.
Among the operational communication satellites, 12 satellites have the coverage over the Union Territory of Ladakh.
This capacity is offered to various service providers to meet and enhance the Telecommunication and Broadband connectivity.
In addition, 10 foreign satellites and 3 Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit Constellations are given authorization to provide services over India including Union Territory of Ladakh.
ISRO, DoS has carried out ‘Mountain Ecosystem Studies of North-west Himalaya’ including in Ladakh, for monitoring Himalayan resources, natural hazards and geodynamics.
ISRO, DoS has also undertaken remote sensing application projects in Ladakh including; Ladakh Specific Modelling and Space Applications (LAMA): Scientific investigations of natural resources, environment and climate change over Ladakh region. A customized dynamic geoportal was developed for assessment and management of natural resources.
Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Geoportal (Geo-Ladakh) with allied database for development of Union Territory of Ladakh: for bio-resources expansion, agriculture & horticulture management, sites for developing artificial glaciers, conserving water resources, harvesting solar & wind energy, assessing flood hazard etc.
AMRUT-1.0: Large Scale Urban Geospatial Database created by using Very High-Resolution Satellite Data formulation of GIS based Master Plans for Leh and Kargil towns.
AMRUT-2.0: Development of Waterbody Information System for Leh and Kargil towns; and LULC Change Analysis: “Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Change Analysis on 1:50,000 scale of 2020-21 and 2025-26”, for Ladakh.
The Disaster Management Support Programme (DMSP) of ISRO/DoS provides satellite data-based inputs to the nodal Ministries, Departments for various natural hazards for effective disaster management at national level, including the Himalayan region of Ladakh.
Under the scope of NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis) project an optical telescope is being established at Hanle, Ladakh for tracking objects at GEO.
