..

providing high-quality
remote sensing data,
indigenous capacity and
application services to
facilitate enhanced utilisation
of Remote Sensing in
resource management and
disaster mitigation...

Thirty-first Annual Report

2004-2005

National Remote Sensing Agency

Department of Space, Government of India

Back cover: Khed Brahma

was the first area in India to
be viewed by Cartosat-1.
Bordering Gujarat and
Rajasthan, this region is
surrounded by hills, seen
clearly in a 3-D perspective
view generated from stereo
data from Cartosat-1.

Members

President
Minister of State in Govt. of
India (GOI) dealing with
Dept. of Space (DOS)

Shri Satyabrata Mookherjee

Honble Minister of State for Statistics &
Programme Implementation, Planning,
Atomic Energy and Space
Shri Prithviraj Chavan (from Sept 4, 2004)
Minister of State (MoS), Prime Ministers
Office (PMO)

Vice-President
Secretary to GOI, DOS

Shri G. Madhavan Nair

Members
Secretary to GOI, Dept. of
Science and Technology (DST)

Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy

Secretary to GOI, Ministry of

Defence (MoD)

Shri Ajay Prasad

Shri Ajai Vikram Singh (from Jul 1, 2004)

Three Eminent Scientists

Dr. P. Rama Rao

Dr. Brahma Prakash Distinguished Prof.,
International Advanced Research Centre for
Metallurgy and New Material (ARCI),
Hyderabad
Dr. R. Natarajan
Former Chairman, All India Council for
Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi
Shri Chandi Prasad Bhatt
Social Worker, Dasholi Gram Swarajya
Mandal, Chamoli, Uttaranchal

Additional Secretary and

Internal Financial Advisor,
DOS

Shri S. K. Das
Ms. Veena Sreeram Rao (from Jan 6, 2005)

Member (Finance), Space

Commission and Ex-officio
Secretary (Finance) to GOI,
DOS

Dr. S.S Meenakshisundaram

Shri S.K. Das (from Dec 9, 2004)

Director, Earth Observations

System (EOS), DOS

Dr. V. Jayaraman

Director, NRSA

Dr. R. R. Navalgund

The Society of NRSA 2004-2005

Composition

The Governing Body of NRSA 2004-2005

Composition

Members

Chairman
Secretary to Govt. of India
(GOI), Dept. of Space (DOS)

Shri G. Madhavan Nair

Members
Secretary to GOI, Dept. of
Science and Technology
(DST)

Dr. V. S. Ramamurthy

Secretary to GOI, Ministry of

Defence (MoD)

Shri Ajay Prasad

Shri Ajai Vikram Singh (from Jul 1, 2004)

Three Eminent Scientists

Dr. P. Rama Rao

Dr. Brahma Prakash Distinguished Prof.,
International Advanced Research Centre for
Metallurgy and New Material (ARCI),
Hyderabad
Dr. R. Natarajan
Former Chairman, All India Council for
Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi
Shri Chandi Prasad Bhatt
Social Worker, Dasholi Gram Swarajya
Mandal, Chamoli, Uttaranchal

Additional Secretary and

Internal Financial Advisor,
DOS

Shri S. K. Das
Ms. Veena Sreeram Rao (from Jan 6, 2005)

Joint Secretary (Finance), DOS

Dr. R.G. Nadadur

Shri P. Mukherjee (from Dec 10, 2004)

Director, Earth Observations

System (EOS), DOS

Dr. V. Jayaraman

Director, NRSA

Dr. R. R. Navalgund

ISO for NRSA

technology and
operations

* Digital browse & payload programming integrated with data ordering

* Large Format Direct Photo-writing operationalised for IRS-P6
* Software developed for image masking for QuickBird & IKONOS; AOI
based products of high-resolution data
* Data Archival and Acquisition Policy project completed
* Over 19,000 satellite data products supplied
* IRS-P6 data products announced to users
* Readiness for IRS-P5
* Technology of PC-based Servo Control System and PC-based Direct
Archival and Quick Look System transferred to industries
* Aircraft utilization - 588 hours
* Installation and acceptance of ALTM-DC
* Aerial tasks - pole-to-pole survey for electrical network mapping
for KMDA; municipal GIS solution for BMP; aerial photography, digital
mapping over cities; aeromagnetic survey over IndoGangetic plains
* International
* Alaska, Norman, Neustralitz and Beijing upgraded for IRS-P6
* New IRS-P4 acquisition station at Rutgers University, USA
* Thematic mapping of Dubai and Hatta
* Post-tsunami ALTM-DC survey, aerial photography over Sri Lanka
and Maldives
* Digital mapping of Maldives; training conducted for officials

resource assessment
and monitoring

* Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission - mapping for 8 states

* Snowmelt runoff forecast for Sutlej basin at Bhakra reservoir
* National Wastelands Inventory and Updation Project
* Integrated Resource Information System for Desertic Areas - land &
water resources development action plans generated
* Biodiversity characterisation for E-Ghats and Central India
* National Agricultural Technology Project - Atlas for Gambhir
watershed released
* Utilization of high resolution data for tree inventory
* Inputs for environmental studies for hydropower plant at Myanmar
* Irrigation water management, river engineering studies
* Participation in ISRO-GBP land campaign-II on aerosols

disaster
support

* Monthly Disaster Watch Reports from Decision Support Centre (DSC)

for Disaster Management
* Fast-track and detailed damage assessment after tsunami
* Monitoring Pareechu lake blockade
* Near-real-time flood monitoring, inundation area assessment for 9
states; 60 maps disseminated
* Drought monitoring for 14 states; state-wise monthly summary report
for entire country
* Forest fire monitoring

training &
education

Highlights 2004-05

* 436 officers/scientists trained in RS, GIS and allied areas

* CSSTEAP - Faculty/infrastructure support by IIRS; trained 21
participants
* Technology development and R&D studies on various data reception,
processing and application themes

Release of Atlas during third NATP Workshop

One year of Resourcesat-1

Contents

1.

Executive Summary

01

2.

Governing Body and Society Meeting

03

3.

Satellite Data Services

04

4.

Remote Sensing Applications

07

5.

Aerial Services & Digital Mapping

18

6.

Training

19

7.

Technology Development/R&D

20

8.

Outreach Programme

20

9.

ISO Achieved

21

10.

Academic Sensitization

21

11.

Events/Seminars/Workshops

21

12.

International Collaboration

21

13.

Library

22

14.

Finance

22

15.

General

23

Appendix: Audit Report and Annual Accounts

25

List of Acronyms

44

annual report
National Remote Sensing Agency in 2004-2005

1. Executive Summary

in NRSAs archives has been transcribed onto

durable high-density digital media.

The countrys first remote sensing Earth Station

has completed 25 years of its establishment.
Starting with a single antenna that received
Landsat data, NRSAs earth station at Shadnagar
has seen several major milestones. Today, the
earth station is a multi-mission system with 3
antenna that cater for as many as 8 satellites,
both Indian and foreign. NRSA has also set-up a
network of ground stations across the globe that
caters for data from Indian Remote Sensing
satellites (Fig.1).
Another highlight of this year has been the fact
that NRSA is now ISO-compliant. With this, NRSA
joins ranks with leading space agencies of the
world in the area of remote sensing.
The Data Processing Facility supports archival,
processing, product generation and
dissemination of data from IRS-1C/1D/P3/P4/
P6, ERS, NOAA and Terra/Aqua. Major
workcentres handling heavy data volumes have
been upgraded with Gigabit network
connectivity. The digital browse service and
payload programming facility have been
integrated with data ordering facility. e-IIMS,
based on web technology, is operational for all
the satellites. As per the Data Archival and
Acquisition Policy, historic data of all satellites

Data quality evaluation and quality control

activities have played a significant role by
providing timely and necessary feedback to
mission for all issues related to all data
products, particularly Resourcesat-1, whose
products were announced to the users. Over
19,000 data products have been disseminated
to Indian and foreign users/organisations, with
the IRS forming the major chunk.
Resourcesat-1 products, especially LISS-IV MX,
have been successful in capturing the
imagination of remote sensing data users, as
seen from the large numbers that have been
supplied. While the distribution of highresolution data from IKONOS and QuickBird
satellites has doubled, data use from the
central and state sectors has also shown an
upward trend when compared to last year. As
many as 49 new private users have joined NRSAs
user base this year.
Programming support is being given for all the
International Ground Stations for IRS satellites.
The Alaska, Norman, Neustralitz and Beijing
stations have been upgraded to support IRS-P6
operations. A new IRS-P4 acquisition station has
been operationalised at Rutgers University, USA.

Fig.1 NRSA The Activity Spectrum

National Remote Sensing Agency

Satellite Data
Acquisition &
Archival

Satellite Data
Processing &
Dissemination

Services during
Natural Disasters

Remote Sensing
& GIS
Applications

International
Projects

Aerial Surveys &

Digital Mapping

Promotion of
Remote Sensing

Training &
Education

Technology
Development, R&D

The ground systems for reception, processing

and product generation are being upgraded for
the future missions like Cartosat-1/2 and RISAT.
Facility build-up and system readiness has been
completed for Cartosat-1, which is scheduled
for launch in May 2005.
The devastating tsunami of December 26th last
year left widespread damage in its wake. NRSA
immediately responded to the news, and the
disaster mechanism was operationalised. A
rapid assessment of the damage was made for
the affected areas within few hours and
disseminated through computer networks to the
agencies concerned. The data was hosted on
the website to allow access to all concerned,
including decision makers, scientists, media and
public. This enabled rapid decisions in
identification of critical damage and assistance.

The International Charter for Space and Major

Disasters was also activated. Later, a detailed
assessment was done on various categories of
damage, their exact geo-location and
comprehensive information associated with the
damage. High-resolution data from aerial digital
camera as well as from satellites was utilized
for damage assessment. This enabled decisions
of longstanding nature, especially in regard to
offers of rehabilitation assistance and future
preparedness against disasters.
All the major flood events in the country were
mapped during 2004, covering Assam, Orissa,
West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar. The
damage assessment was reached to the
organisations concerned in near real-time, for
which NRSA was appreciated by the Ministry of
Home Affairs and Govt. of Assam.
The National Agricultural Drought Assessment
and Monitoring System (NADAMS) provided
information on agricultural conditions at
district/sub-district level on a biweekly/
monthly basis through Kharif season for 14
states of the country. In addition to state-wise
reports, monthly summary reports for entire
country and sub-district level report for
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were also issued.
NRSA was requested to identify and investigate
the status of Pareechu lake, which was
suspected to have caused landslides and flash
floods in Himachal Pradesh. Information on the
water-spread area of the lake on different dates
was provided to the Ministry of Home Affairs,
the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. and Govt. of
Himachal Pradesh on the same day the inquiry

was received. Besides these, disaster events

like landslides and forest fires were also
monitored and analysed.
The drinking water mission has successfully
demonstrated the application of space
technology for addressing the key issue of
providing potable water to the masses in the
country. While eight states have already been
covered, work is nearing completion in Gujarat
and Orissa.
Under the National Wastelands Inventory and
Updation Project (NWIUP), the wasteland atlas
is being updated in terms of identification and
delineation of new areas under wastelands, and
identifying areas where reclamation programme
has been implemented.
Land and water resources development action
plans have been generated for selected blocks
in four states as part of a study on Integrated
Resource Information System for Desertic Areas
(IRIS-DA).
Phase-II of the Biodiversity Characterization
Project is in progress for the Eastern Ghats and
Central India. Prototype studies have been
completed in 11 test sites in different states
under the Natural Resources (NR) Census
Programme.
National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP)
aims at developing the technologies that would
help improve income of farmers and also
address issues specific to production system.
An Atlas prepared under Rainfed Nutritious
Cereals Production Systems for Soybean
Production in Gambhir watershed of M.P, was
released. Crop Acreage Production Estimation
(CAPE) and studies on precision farming have
been done. The potential of high-resolution
data for tree count in urban areas has been
carried out for Hyderabad.
Snowmelt runoff forecast in Sutlej Basin has
been done for Bhakra Beas Management Board.
Merged data of LISS-III and LISS-IV sensors was
utilized to provide the physical and
environmental setting of the proposed Tamanthi
hydropower project at Myanmar, as well as for
8 such sites in Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal
Pradesh.
The multi-resolution capability of Resourcesat1 is being used to provide irrigation utilization
both at command and basin level to provide
near-real time information for effective

irrigation water utilization. High resolution

satellite data of the order of few a meters
captured the existing irrigation infrastructure
and helped in monitoring the progress of new
irrigation potential created under Governmentaided programs.
Under the Command Area Development (CAD)
program, NRSA had completed the task of
evaluating the performance of 13 irrigation
commands aggregating to 3.2 million hectares
of cultivable command area spread over five
states. To reach the benefit of these evaluation
studies to the respective states, a series of
workshops were organized in all the five states.
In the area of ocean studies, estimation of subsurface temperature profiles has been done
using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN).
Combining spectral responses of SWIR and
visible bands of IRS-P6 LISS-3, it has been
possible to distinguish salt pans at different
stages of crystallization in Kutchchh and the
aquaculture fields in Coringa. NRSA is
participating in the IGBP Land Aerosol Campaign
by way of operating the instruments for
monitoring aerosol optical depth, near-surface
aerosol size and mass distribution and black
carbon aerosol concentration.
Apart from satellite data services, NRSA also
has a strong aerial remote sensing activity for
large scale mapping applications including
aerial photography and digital mapping,
infrastructure planning, scanner surveys,
aeromagnetic surveys, cadastral mapping, etc.
Two aircraft with modern navigational aids
supported by dedicated human resources take
care of all the analysis and processing
requirements.
This year, the utilization of the two aircraft was
significantly higher on account of international
aerial survey tasks. Among other tasks carried
out this year was a pole-to-pole survey for
electrical network mapping. A customized
municipal GIS solution for stand-alone
application and web browser based application
has been developed.

Capacity building through training activities is

one of the key areas of focus. The Indian
Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) at Dehradun
imparts training, education and awareness for
various cross-sections of people. A total of 436
Indian and foreign participants were trained at
IIRS/NRSA Headquarters. As part of HRD
activities, 172 employees at various levels were
trained for both technical as well as soft skills.
NRSA has developed two technologies - PCbased Servo Control System and PC-based Direct
Archival and Quick Look System. The know-how
of these two technologies has been transferred
to two private industries for commercial
production. With these, a total of 32
technologies developed by NRSA so far, have
been transferred to the industry.
Strong outreach programmes have helped
promote the technology of remote sensing,
while also creating awareness about the Indian
earth observation programme. Exhibitions and
workshops were held in different places in
India. Specific training/demonstration of
technology are being done for users. Support
has been provided to the Research Sponsored
(RESPOND) Programme for universities.
With the completion of second phase of IIRSITC, The Netherlands collaboration, research
collaboration in these common areas of interest
is being explored. IIRS/NRSA is providing faculty
and infrastructure support to the UN-affiliated
Centre for Space Science and Technology
Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP).
2. Governing Body and Society Meetings
2.1 Governing Body Meeting
Thirty-third meeting of NRSA Governing Body
was held on November 30, 2004. The following
decisions were taken in the meeting:
(a) Approval of Accounts and Annual Report of
NRSA for 2003-2004.
(b) Approval of Plan of Action and Budget for
RE 2004-2005 and BE 2005-2006.
2.2 Society Meeting

Among the international assignments, thematic

mapping of Dubai and Hatta regions has been
done. Post-tsunami, ALTM-DC survey and aerial
photography were done over the affected areas
of Sri Lanka and the islands of Maldives for the
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. As a part
of the project on digital mapping of Maldives,
training was conducted for Maldivian officials.

Twenty-ninth meeting of NRSA Society was held

on November 30, 2004. Shri Prithviraj Chavan,
Minister of State (MoS), Prime Ministers Office
(PMO), and President, NRSA Society, presided
over the meeting. The Annual Report and
audited accounts for the year 2003-2004 were
approved.

3. Satellite Data Services

3.1 Data Acquisition and Archival
3.1.1 Data Reception
NRSAs earth station has completed 25 years of
its establishment. Set up in 1979, the data
reception started with a single antenna that
received Landsat data. Today, NRSAs earth
station is a multi-mission system with 3 antenna
that cater for as many as 8 satellites. Data
acquisition is being done regularly from Indian
Remote Sensing Satellites IRS-1C/1D/P3/P4/P6
and USAs Terra/Aqua and NOAA. ERS data is
being acquired against specific user request.
Data archival efficiency has
been more than 98% for all
the missions. Data are
* IRS-1C/1D/P3/ recorded onto digital media
P4/P6
by the archival and quick
* Terra/Aqua
look browse systems. The
* NOAA
browse data along with
* ERS
ancillary data is being
transmitted over the Spacenet from Earth
Station facility at Shadnagar to the browsing
facility at Balanagar, Hyderabad. The data
stored on the browse archival system is
available for users on Internet for viewing and
data selection.
Multi-mission
data reception

3.1.2 New Developments at Earth Station

A new version of Tracking Controller Unit (TCU)
with multi-mission compatibility was developed
and commissioned for operations. All old version
TCUs which were based on Discrete Components
Technology, are being systematically replaced
with this new version at Shadnagar as well as
at other IRS earth stations. A digitally controlled
programmable phase shifter working at 8 GHz
was incorporated in place of the old
mechanized stretch line phase shifter in one of
the terminals at Shadnagar. All the stations will
soon be equipped with this indigenous
equipment. The Terminal-I and Terminal-II
receive chains have been augmented for IRSP5 payload and Standard Positioning System
(SPS) data reception.
The Data Serializer System (DSS) is a PC-based
system to serialize data at high speeds for the
purpose of reception chain testing and for
Level-0 processing evaluation. Data available
as a disk file is serialized into synchronous serial
format. DSS has been designed for Cartosat-1
configuration but can be used for other missions

as well. This unit is being used regularly for

testing systems at the earth station. Data Path
Controller, which is a high-speed cross-point
switch, replaces the manual patching and aids
in automation of data reception by providing
suitable connectivity between the bitsynchronizers and the data archival systems.
This unit is used to route serial digital data and
its clock to various real-time archival systems.
The unit is configurable through keypad/LCD
interface. General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB)
control is provided for remote control. This unit,
which has been developed in house, has solved
the problems of manual errors.
The Time Code Translator (TCT) is an in-house
developed Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)
based system for use with Data Archival and
Quick Look Browse (DAQLB) system for the
purpose of time stamping. The system accepts
modulated Inter Range Instrumentation Group
(IRIG-A) input and provides Binary Coded
Decimal (BCD) time information to computer
through two different interfaces. These have
now replaced the imported units at the earth
station as well as those at all IRS International
Ground Stations.
Developments in data reception chain
* Multi-mission TCU commissioned
* Digitally controlled programmable phase
shifter incorporated
* Data Path Controller to aid in automation
of data reception
* In-house developed TCT replaces imported
units at Shadnagar as well as at IGS
* Readiness for IRS-P5
* Terminal-I & II receive chains augmented
* DSS designed
* S-Band SPS Direct Archival System
developed and deployed

The S-Band Standard Positioning System (SPS)

Direct Archival System has been developed for
acquiring the SPS data available in S-band chain
at 16 Kbps data rate. The raw data is ingested
in real-time to system disk. The system consists
of a PC and in-house developed data acquisition
card, and has been deployed for Cartosat-1 SPS
data archival chain.
3.2 Data Processing
The data processing facility supports data
archival, processing, product generation and
dissemination of data from IRS-1C/1D/P3/P4/
P6, ERS, NOAA and Terra/Aqua. Support is also
provided for all IRS missions for data quality

Developments in data processing chain

* Digital browse & payload programming
integrated with data ordering
* Large Format Direct Photo-writing System
operationalised for IRS-P6
* Software developed for
* Image masking for QuickBird and IKONOS
* AOI based products of high-resolution data
* Image Display Utility
* Full India AWiFS mosaic and tile-based L-III
coverage of entire country
* DAAP project completed
* IRS-P6 data products announced to users
* Readiness for IRS-P5 data processing - design
& development of software for data
decryption & decompression

evaluation. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture

Radar (InSAR) Digital Elevati0on Models (DEMs)
are being generated. All major workcentres
handling large data volumes have been
upgraded with Gigabit (GB) network
connectivity. The digital browse service and
payload programming facility are integrated
with data ordering facility. Web-based
Integrated Information Management System (eIIMS) is operational for all the satellites.
As a new element in the Data Processing chain,
operational systems and procedures were
worked out for correcting the Auxillary Data
Information File (ADIF) and updating the image
browse co-ordinates. Evaluation and quality
checking procedures have also been subjected
to quality assurance auditing under ISO9001:2000 program and some recommendations
are being implemented. Large Format Direct
Photo-writing System has been established and
operationalised to meet the requirements of
IRS-P6 data products.
Special products generation software is being
used for supplying user-defined customized
products. Among the software developed are
the image masking software that has been
extended for QuickBird and IKONOS,
software for handling Area-of-Interest
(AOI) based bundled products of highresolution data, and an Image Display
Utility with online image processing tools
for satellite data users. Full India AWiFS
mosaic at 50 m resolution and tile-based
LISS-III coverage of the entire country at
25 m resolution has been prepared.
New procedures have been worked out to
improve product quality especially for
merged and photo products. Ground
Control Points (GCP) from the GCP Library

are being used to improve location accuracy.

LISS-3 and LISS-4 mono products have been
generated with GCPL and accuracies were found
to be 20 m and 4 m respectively. A preliminary
design of a 3-tier system model for secured
accessing of GCPL database over network has
been developed and tested for IRS-P6 product
generation.
As per the Data Archival and Acquisition Policy
(DAAP), historic data of all satellites in NRSAs
archives has been transcribed onto durable
high-density digital media like DLTs and CDs.
OCM/NOAA data are being made available
through ISDN to important users like IIT, INCOIS,
SAC etc.
The photo processing facility is equipped with
specialized/custom-made modern processors,
printers, enlargers, printing and processing aids
and other equipment for processing, printing
and generating various types of satellite and
aerial photo products. A digital image library
has been built with the recent and archived
imageries. Interactive image enhancement is
being carried out for best radiometry quality
of all photoproducts.
Data quality evaluation and quality control
activities have played a significant role by
providing timely and necessary feedback to the
mission for all issues related to Resourcesat-1
data products, which were announced to the
users during the annual User Interaction
Workshop during February 2005. An e-brochure
on Resourcesat-1 has been hosted on NRSAs
website.
3.3 Data Dissemination
A total of 19,067 data products valued at
Rs.3468 Lakhs were disseminated to Indian and
foreign users/organisations. IRS data formed
the major chunk of the distributed data (Fig.2).
Fig.2 Mission-wise distribution of data in 2004-05
Special products
Foreign
& Services - 6%
satellites - 8%

IRS - 86%

The
potential
of
Resourcesat-1 has been
recognized for multifarious
* IRS-1A/1B/1C/
applications by the remote
1D/P3/P4/P6
sensing community. Of all
* Terra/Aqua
its sensors, the LISS-IV
* LANDSAT
multispectral data has been
* SPOT
supplied in large numbers,
* NOAA
which has been possible
* ERS
because of an extensive
* IKONOS
archive built by systematic
* RADARSAT
coverage of the entire
* ENVISAT
country. Distribution of
* QuickBird
high-resolution data from
IKONOS and QuickBird satellites has doubled.
Requirement of remote sensing data from the
central and state sectors has increased by 67%
and 81% respectively when compared to last
year (Fig.3). As many as 49 new private users
have joined NRSAs user base this year.
Data being
distributed

Neustralitz and Beijing have already been

upgraded, while Iran, Algeria and Dubai are in
pipeline. Eight Advanced Front End Hardware
(AFEH) units (Fig.4) have been supplied to
various ground stations. The Level-0 and data
processing systems to cater for IRS-P6 are being
established at Russia.

Fig.4 Advanced Front End Hardware

Over 15 international ground stations,

including a mobile station are now
receiving IRS-1C/1D data. IRS-P3 data is
also being received at Germany and Spain.

Fig.3 Value of data distributed to various sectors

1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0

Rs. in lakhs

A new IRS-P4 acquisition station has been

operationalised at Rutgers University, USA,
bringing the total number of P4-enabled
stations to four, including Korea, Germany
and one in USA.

2003-2004
2004-2005

3.5 Readiness for New Missions

Central

State

Academic Private

National Foreign
Missions

Browse data are available on NRSAs website.

Data in Geotiff (GIS-compatible) format is
available. The demand for high-resolution data
has increased, especially for geomatic
applications.
Under the Remote Sensing Data Policy of the
Government, NRSA is the national acquisition/
distribution agency for all satellite data within
India. NRSA also distributes data from IKONOS,
RADARSAT, ENVISAT and QuickBird satellites.
Distributors for IRS data are appointed in USA,
Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
3.4 Support to other ground stations
Pass programming is being done for all Indian
and International Ground Stations (IGS) for IRS
satellites. The IGS are being upgraded to
support IRS-P6 operations. Alaska, Norman,

The ground systems for reception,

processing and product generation are
being upgraded for the future missions like
Cartosat-1/2 and RISAT.

Facility build-up and system readiness has been

completed for Cartosat-1, which is scheduled
for launch in May 2005. The Data Archival and
Quick-Look Browse (DAQLB) systems have been
upgraded. New procedures have been worked
out for quality verification and the facility has
been established. The PC-based data logging
system is being upgraded to cater for Cartosat1. For Cartosat-2, software requirements have
been finalized. Technical support for evolving
the ground segment to support RISAT mission
data processing at NRSA has been done.
A separate Data Processing Facility has been
established to cater for Cartosat-1. Depending
on user requirement, the data product can be
corrected to various levels of accuracy by
applying radiometric and geometric
corrections. The Ground Control Point Library
(GCPL) will be used for precision correction for

Cartosat-1 launched

Cartosat-1, Indias first satellite

dedicated
for
cartographic
applications, has been launched on
May 5 th, 2005 from Satish Dhawan
Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
Cartosat-1 has two cameras a fore
and an aft panchromatic (PAN)
camera, with a spatial resolution of
2.5 m and swath of 30 km.
The data quality was evaluated and
the specifications were found to be
as defined by the mission. The
satellite has been declared
operational and the data products are
being made available to the users.

high location accuracy. The User Order

Processing System (UOPS), which facilitates
data browsing, selection and ordering from the
user site, was implemented during the IRS-P6
mission. The same functionality is being
extended for IRS-P5 data users.
4. Remote Sensing Applications
4.1 Natural Disasters
The Disaster Management Support Programme
of the Department of Space is designed to
consolidate the efforts towards providing data
which will aid in timely action for disaster relief
as well as build up a strong base for operational
disaster management activities involving other
organisations.
The Disaster Watch Team (DWT) of the Decision
Support Centre (DSC) for Disaster Management
has kept a constant watch on the natural
disasters. Disaster reports are being generated
every month. The information on these disasters

is compiled from various websites maintained

by government organisations involved in
monitoring these disasters viz. the Indian
Meteorological Department (IMD), the National
Disaster Management (NDM) of the Ministry of
Home Affairs, the news media and various other
websites.
4.1.1 Tsunami Damage Assessment
On December 26, 2004, an earthquake of
magnitude 9.0 on Richter scale occurred off the
west coast of Sumatra. This earthquake
triggered a devastating tsunami that killed
thousands of people across different countries
including India. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and
the Union territory Andaman & Nicobar islands
were the worst affected, while Kerala and the
Pondicherry also suffered.
NRSA immediately responded to the news.
Actions were initiated to check the coverage
of various IRS satellites over the affected areas.
The PAN cameras of IRS-1C/1D and the LISS-4
of IRS-P6 were tilted to procure data of the
affected areas. A rapid assessment of the
damage was made within few hours and
disseminated through computer networks to the
agencies concerned. The data was hosted on
the website to allow open access to all
concerned, including decision makers,
scientists, media and public. This enabled
speedy decisions of identification of critical
damage and offers for assistance. Fig.5 shows
IRS-P6 AWiFS pre and post-tsunami images of
Trinkat island which is a part of the A&N islands.
The LISS-4 MX sensor of IRS-P6 captures part of
Chennai city in Fig.6.

As the tsunami had caused extensive damage

to the neighboring countries, the satellite data
covering Sri Lanka and Maldives was also
procured and analysed and the
information was furnished on
Fig.5 Pre and post-tsunami images of Trinkat island
NRSA website. The International
Charter for Space and Major
Disasters was activated. The
data made available by various
international space agencies on
Charter web site was also
analysed.

December 21, 2004

December 26, 2004

Later, a detailed assessment was

done on various categories of
damage, their exact geolocation and comprehensive
information associated with the
damage. High-resolution aerial

Fig.6 Pre and post-tsunami images of part of Chennai

Adayar river

flood extent in different districts

of Tripura, Meghalaya and
Arunachal Pradesh were also
furnished. Appreciation was
received from Ministry of Home
Affairs and Govt. of Assam on the
work carried out by NRSA during
the floods.

In order to create a common

platform to share various
experiences and issues related to
January 12, 2004
December 27, 2004
flood disaster management and
available technologies so as to
digital camera data was procured over selected
bridge the existing gap areas for better
affected areas in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra
management, a workshop was organized in June
Pradesh and A&N islands. ENVISAT, RADARSAT
2004. Participants from ITC, The Netherlands,
and SPOT data were also utilized for damage
Ministry of Home Affairs, CWC, IMD, Department
assessment. This enabled decisions of
of Space, State Remote Sensing Centers, Relief
longstanding nature, especially with regard to
Commissioners of W.B, A.P and Assam attended.
offers of rehabilitation assistance and future
preparedness.
4.1.3 Drought Assessment and Monitoring
(MoA/DAC)
4.1.2 Near-real-time Flood Monitoring and
Inundated Area Assessment
National Agricultural Drought Assessment and
Monitoring System (NADAMS) has been providing
All the major flood events in the country during
near real-time information on agricultural
2004 have been mapped, covering Assam,
conditions at district/sub-district level on a
Orissa, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar.
biweekly/monthly basis through Kharif season
A constant watch was kept on the flood situation
(June to October) in terms of bulletins and
in the country through water level information
detailed reports for 14 States (A.P, Bihar,
from Central Water Commission (CWC), ground
Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand,
reports from State departments, news media,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, M.P, Orissa, Rajasthan,
etc. The information collected was compiled
T.N, Uttaranchal and U.P) in the country. In
and Disaster Watch Reports were generated on
addition to state-wise reports, monthly statedaily basis.
wise summary report for entire country and at
the sub-district level report for Karnataka and
Satellite
data
Andhra Pradesh were also issued.
Support during disasters
from IRS, Terra/
* Flood/tsunami damage
Aqua
and
NRSA organized a Regional Workshop on
assessment
RADARSAT
was
Agricultural Drought Monitoring and
* Drought monitoring
analysed
within
Assessment System using Space Technology
* Lake blockade monitoring
5
hours
after
during May 2004 at the request of the United
* Landslide hazard zonation
receiving the
Nations Economic and Social Commission for
* Forest fire mapping
data and flood
Asia and Pacific (UN ESCAP), Bangkok. The
inundation maps at different scales
workshop was attended by representatives from
(1:1,000,000, 1:500,000 and 1:250,000) along
10 countries of the region. Drought monitoring
with district-wise flood inundated area
mechanisms and user feedback, and regional
statistics were furnished to the Director, NDM
cooperative mechanism were discussed.
Control Room; Chairman, CWC, New Delhi; the
Relief Commissioners; the State Remote Sensing
4.1.4 Landslide Hazard Zonation
Centers of respective states and the North
Eastern Space Applications Center (NESAC) for
Landslides near Gangotri and Joshimath during
further dissemination to the officials
August 2004 were monitored. The database
concerned.
generated under the Landslide Hazard Zonation
project had indicated the areas as high hazard
During 2004, a total of 60 flood maps have been
zones, and management practices like soil
prepared and disseminated. Information on
conservation, retention wall with drill holes,

slope modification etc. had been suggested for

the same. A brief report has been submitted,
highlighting the factors contributing to this
landslide.
4.1.5 Monitoring Pareechu Lake
During last week of July 2005, a landslide and
formation of a lake over Pareechu river in Tibet
was reported and NRSA was requested to
identify and investigate the location and the
formation of this lake. It was confirmed that
the lake had formed only recently, and also that
there is a natural depression in that place where
water could accumulate during monsoon. A
blockade was observed in the stream course in
the eastern fringe of the newly formed lake.
Information on the water-spread area of the
lake on different dates was provided to the
Ministry of Home Affairs, the Sutlej Jal Vidyut
Nigam Ltd. and Govt. of Himachal Pradesh on
the same day the inquiry was received. Status
of the lake was monitored on daily basis during
August and September using data from IRS,
RADARSAT and other high-resolution satellites.
Fig.7 shows the river as seen through LISS-4
sensor of IRS-P6. The blockade of the river (seen
on August 11 image) caused the formation of
the lake. 60 satellite data sets were analysed.
Very little change was observed in the waterspread area during October and November.
Ministry of Home Affairs appreciated the efforts
of NRSA.

studies have been carried out earlier, the need

for a national daily fire monitoring system was
not met.
As part of the Disaster Management Support
Programme, the INFFRAS (Indian Forest Fire
Response and Assessment System) has been
established for to facilitate forest fire
monitoring and management. The system
leverages the capability of the MODIS sensors
aboard the Terra/Aqua platforms as well as the
Defense Meteorological Satellite Programme
(DMSP) satellites for near real-time daily active
fire detection. The AWiFS and LISS-III sensors
provide data for burnt area and recovery
assessment. User can request information and
products over the Internet.
INFFRAS is designed to meet the user
requirement at three levels - Pre-fire preparatory planning for fire control; During fire
- near real-time active fire detection and
monitoring; Post-fire - damage and recovery
assessment and mitigation planning. The system
has been operational on a trial basis in the fire
season of 2005 and will be fully operational for
the 2006 fire season. Several areas were
covered in response to user requests.
Daily fire occurrence during February to May
from MODIS data was provided to the park
authorities at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Fig.7 Monitoring lake blockade

April 11, 2004

August 11, 2004

Lake

4.1.6 Forest Fire Monitoring

Indian forest ecosystems, especially deciduous
forests and grasslands are prone to fires every
year. The size and accessibility of the forested
areas constrain the efficiency of the routine
fire alert systems. Satellite remote sensing
provides useful inputs for fire detection,
monitoring and mitigation. While several

Blockade

Near real time burnt area assessment was done

for Bandhavgarh National Park with IRS WiFS/
AWiFS data (Fig.8).
Uttaranchal Forest Department was provided
with near real-time daily active fire locations.
Efforts are underway to provide near real time
daily burnt area assessment and also provide
archived fire location data.

Fig.8 Near real time burnt area assessment

New burnt scars

New burnt scars

April 16
Park extent

April 17
Park extent

developmental programmes for a geographical

area of 76,257 sq. km (83 blocks in 18 districts)
in parts of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and
Karnataka.
As of now, land resources development action
plans have been generated for a total of 79
blocks while water resources development
action plans have been generated for 50 blocks
(Fig.9).
Fig.9 Development plans for desertic areas
Water Resources
Development Plan

4.2 Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water

Mission

10

The drinking water mission has successfully

demonstrated the application of space
technology for addressing the key issue of
providing potable water to the masses in the
country, while also touching upon other
essential aspects like involvement of user
departments, transfer of technology, manpower
development, capacity building and private
participation. Eight states viz. Andhra Pradesh,
Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Himachal
Pradesh have already been covered. Work is
nearing completion in Gujarat and Orissa.
4.3 National Wastelands Inventory and
Updation Project
The wasteland atlas is being updated in terms
of the spatial information, identification and
delineation of new areas under wastelands, and
identification of areas where reclamation
programme has been implemented. 32
workcentres including other DOS centres,
Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI),
Center of Studies in Resources Engineering
(CSRE), Birla Institute of Technology and some
entrepreneurs are involved in this endeavor. The
project is nearing completion and the final maps
and GIS database is ready.
4.4 Integrated Resource Information System
for Desertic Areas (IRIS-DA)
Funded by the Ministry of Rural Development,
the study aims at creating a natural resources
database for desertic areas on 1:50,000 scale
through conjunctive use of satellite and
conventional data. Optimal land and water
resources management utilization plans will be
generated to aid the state and district-level
officials in planning and implementation of

Gully plugs
Stop dam
Check dam
Percolation Tank
Watershed boundary
Tanks

Land Resources
Development Plan

Improved dry land crop management

Horticulture
Agro-forestry
Agro-horticulture
Improved Irrigated crop management
Forest gap plantation
Forest enrichment
Hortipasture
Silvipasture
Fodder and Fuel wood plantation
Tanks

4.5 Biodiversity Characterization

Vindhyans, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Tamil Nadu

and Orissa. Species identification, vegetation
and land cover type mapping, and phytosociological data collection is in progress.

single date spectral, spectral crop growth

profile and deterministic biomass production
model have been investigated for yield
estimation of wheat in western U.P.
Incorporation of MODIS observations into above
deterministic biomass production model
provides wheat yield estimates for
approximately 60% of the cases within 95%
confidence levels of official estimates.
Empirical and semi-empirical approach were
also evaluated for retrieval of crop parameter
using remote sensing inputs and the results have
been encouraging. Information on regional scale
actual water use and water use efficiency of
wheat were also derived to identify specific
biophysical constraints to wheat productivity.

4.6 Natural Resources (NR) Census

4.8 Agriculture and Soils

The primary aim of NR census is to provide a

periodic assessment/report on the state of
natural resources. Prototype studies have been
completed in 11 test sites in different states.

4.8.1 Crop Acreage Production Estimation

Phase-II of the Biodiversity Characterization

Project is in progress for the Eastern Ghats and
Central India, covering West Bengal, Madhya
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
Coverage (sq.km)
Eastern Ghats & East Coast
4,52,550
Central India
6,64,982
Total coverage in Phase II
11,17,532

4.7 National Agricultural Technology Projects

The National Agricultural Technology Project
aims at developing the technologies that would
help improve income of farmers and also
address issues specific to production system.
The project envisages:
Resource inventory at regional/microwatershed level
Identification of critical areas
Development of action plans
Implementation of action plans
Monitoring the progress of implementation/
impact assessment
Under the umbrella of NATP, NRSA has been the
lead center for agro-ecosystem research for two
major projects on Rainfed Rice Production
Systems (RRPS) and Rainfed Nutritious Cereals
Production Systems (RNPS). At the Annual
Workshop of the project, 32 delegates from
other collaborating centers viz. CRIDA,
NBSS&LUP, CSWCRTI etc., met at NRSA during
June 2004. Status of the two projects, including
implementation of action plans in the micro
watersheds were presented, and the important
achievements were highlighted. An overview of
the NATP programmes taken up by ICAR was
done. An Atlas prepared under RNPS for Soybean
Production System in Gambhir watershed of M.P,
was released.
Under the recently completed NATP project at
IIRS, various approaches of crop modeling viz.,

In A.P, about 70% of the normal rice cropped

area was covered by the end of first fortnight
of September 2004 due to the delayed monsoon
and consequent low release of canal water for
irrigation, as per the estimate of the
Department of Agriculture (DOA), Govt. of A.P.
During the same period, cotton crop exceeded
by about 20% of the normal acreage of the state.
4.8.2 DEM for Estimating Runoff and Soil Loss
A case study has been conducted to study the
accuracy of DEM generated from IRS-1C PAN
stereo data and its influence on the estimation
of runoff as well as soil loss in a microwatershed in Zaheerabad mandal of Medak
district, A.P. A DEM has been generated from
stereo pair from IRS-1C PAN as well as from
aerial photographs. The DEM generated from
aerial photographs provide better appreciation
of terrain elevation and features as compared
to the one generated from PAN stereo images.
To estimate soil loss, an event-based mixed/
hybrid model developed and calibrated for
Indian conditions was used. DEMs derived from
aerial photographs and PAN stereo images were
processed to generate hydrological DEM. The
amount of runoff accumulated at the outlet of
the watershed was compared with the in-situ
observed values of runoff. The results indicate
that the variations in slope as computed from
aerial and PAN DEMs dont seem to have a great
impact on runoff computation. The observation
is supported by the fact that the predicted
runoff is in very close agreement with the
measured runoff. Similarly, the sediments

11

accumulated at the watershed outlet were

computed using aerial and PAN-derived DEM. It
was inferred that the values for runoff as well
as sediment loss computed using PAN DEM as
input are relatively lower than those of PANderived DEM.

and poor yield. Similar exercise was repeated

during the next rabi cropping season of 200304. NDVI image of the field and grain yield map
(Fig.10) indicates the prevalence of poor crop
yield in major portion of the field. There is a
good relationship (r>0.72) between the NDVI
and grain yield.

4.8.3 Precision Farming

A synergy of precision farming with other
technologies like remotely-sensed images
coupled with GPS and GIS offers a powerful tools
for arriving at farm management decisions at
within field level to optimize crop production
based on the potentials and limitations of the
available resources. To explore the potential
of remote sensing in providing spatial and
temporal information on soils and crops as input
to precision farming technology, field
experiments were initiated in collaboration
with other organisations for cultivation under
irrigated conditions, rain-fed controlled and
rain-fed farmers conditions.

12

At Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural

University (ANGRAU) Research farm, the
study was taken up to assess the
variability in soil fertility and yield of
paddy using in situ observations and high
resolution multispectral data. Paddy
crop was taken during Kharif and Rabi
seasons of 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Variability in crop yield and soil
properties has been studied by (i)
recording crop yield from well-defined
grids, and (ii) relating the ranges of
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
(NDVI) values of spaceborne multispectral data with the soil nitrogen and
crop yield. To relate the spectral
characteristics of crop with grain yield,
IKONOS and QuickBird images coinciding
with the peak vegetative development
stage were analysed.
The variability in the grain yield of paddy
has been studied using yield data
obtained from grid sampling. As seen
from the grain yield map, the yield varies
from 25-92 quintals per ha (q/ha) during
the 2002-03 rabi season, with major
portion of the field having grain yield
range of 48-71 q/ha. A small portion in
the eastern corner of the field exhibits
poor yield (25-48 q/ha). A comparison
of the yield map with that of NDVI image
reveals some correspondence between
the areas within the field with low NDVI

The spatial distribution of soil nitrogen before

transplanting of paddy in 2002-03 cropping
season and after harvest of the crop was
studied. The total soil nitrogen in the field
ranged from 45-90 kg/ha during the pretransplantation stage and from 35-62 kg/ha
after the harvesting of the crop during the year
2002-03. It was also evident from the soil
nitrogen variability map that there was a welldefined gradient from northwest to southeast.
Although there is wide variation in the nitrogen
level before planting the paddy crop, the
scenario during post-harvest period is more or
less uniform with major part of the field

Fig.10 Intra-field variability in the grain

yield of rice during rabi 2003-04

Agricultural Research Station,

ANGRAU
Within the field
variability of NDVI

Quickbird multispectral
data (10-04-2004)
Range: 30-80 q/ha

NDVI

2003-04

The grain yield

map for rice

Total yield vs NDVI, r = 0.751

showing poor residual N (< 48 kg/ha). The grain

yield is also low in the areas where soil nitrogen
is low. The study points to the potential of fine
resolution satellite data in providing
information on intra-field variability in crop
yield and as important data source for precision
agriculture.

study area covers the south-east part of Car

Nicobar island, covering areas which were
severely affected by the December 2004
tsunami. High-resolution airborne digital
camera data with 75 cm resolution, DEM with
1 m resolution and high resolution satellite data
were the inputs for the study.

4.9 Geosciences

Hazard map was prepared by integrating various

thematic units in a spatial model and by
categorising into different hazard levels. The
pre and post-inundation satellite-derived
inundation condition was used to understand
the maximum tidal ingress levels. The maximum
level derived from this method was around 5 m
(Fig.11). The aerial data was acquired during
high tide (1 m). The local geomorphological
features, especially the shape of the coastline,

4.9.1 Hazard and Risk Assessment for Tsunami

Tidal Inundation in Car Nicobar

India is gearing up for a Tsunami Early Warning

System by 2007. Hence it is essential that a
prioritisation of coastal areas be done for
tsunami hazard and risk for effective evacuation
and rehabilitation. Earth observation systems,
both space and air-borne, provide some
of the critical input towards such Fig.11 DEM of Car Nicobar island
studies. The primary requirement of Background is an aerial image; blue color
hazard zonation is accurate Digital indicates tidal inundation at 5 m tidal surge
Elevation Model (DEM) with high
resolution. Airborne sources, especially
ALTM and aerial photographs, are a good
source for such information with
synoptic and temporal capability. The
coastal geomorphology, which is another
critical input for hazard zonation, is
obtained from space-based sensors with
resolutions. Land use/land cover is also
a key input from the space for risk
assessment and monitoring. Integration
of all these parameters with other parameters
were considered for this hazard zonation, along
like bathymetry etc. provides the necessary
with the high resolution DEM.
datasets for developing hazard and risk
assessment scenario for a particular event.
The coastline can be categorised into two major
zones based on morphology - a rocky
A collaborative study has been done by the
promontory coast in the south and gentle
RS&GIS Applications area and the Aerial Services
coastal plain in the west. It is this gentle coastal
and Digital Mapping group in order to demarcate
plain which has seen the maximum damage.
the areas along the low-lying coast, which have
Two levels of hazard have been demarcated for
a threat perception from possible tsunami. The
a tsunami of magnitude of the December
tsunami, and with the epicenter
near Indonesia.
Fig.12 Risk statistics with 5 m inundation level
26.46%

1.04% .55%

10.74%

2.26%

53.96%
4.98%

Barren land
Coastal zone
Vegetation - Moderately dense
Scrub land

Built up (damaged & non-damaged)

Vegetation - Highly dense
Vegetation - Less dense

In order to know the risk at

different inundation levels, risk
maps were prepared by
integrating land use map with 2
m, 3 m, 4 m and 5 m inundation
level maps with its statistics
(Fig.12). The major sea level
boundary changes were seen in
eastern segment of the coast
where the terrain is gently
sloping flat land covered by soft
sediments. In the southern

13

segment of the coast where exposed rock cliffs

are seen with higher slopes, no major changes
are seen in the coastland boundary. This
indicates probably the changes are more of tidal
inundation and coastal erosion rather than
subsidence.

4.10.1 High-resolution Data for Tree Inventory

technique was applied for selection of grids (100

x 100m) for field verification. A total of 175
grids at 90% confidence level with a standard
error around 6% were selected. The total
number of tree count is around 5 lakhs. Other
ancillary information like tree height, colony
name and names of the trees were also
collected. Tree cover maps on 1:5,000 scale and
a GIS database, containing information on wards
and localities, have been generated.

Trees, besides forming an important vegetation

cover of the cultural landscape in urban areas,
also help in mitigating pollution and improving
the micro-climatic conditions, while aiding in
enhancing the ground water. Generally, the
trees in cities are planted under urban forestry,
horticulture or under social forestry plantation
programmes. A study on the tree count has
been carried out for the Municipal Corporation
of Hyderabad using high resolution PAN
sharpened (0.60 cm) multispectral data (2.5 m)
from QuickBird satellite.

The results of Sanathnagar area in Hyderabad

(Fig.13) show an increase in tree count (10 to
20%) when compared to pre-field
interpretation. In satellite data, the avenue
plantations with canopy size of 40 cm have not
been depicted properly. In organic plantation,
overlapping of tree crowns is not separable in
many cases, which lead to underestimation of
the numbers. The study demonstrated the use
of high-resolution data in tree inventory and
the data is expected to help the corporation in
taking up plantation in deficient areas.

4.10 Land Use and Urban Studies

Fig.13 Tree count with hi-res satellite data

14

|------------- 100 m ----------|

|----------------------------- 200 m ----------------------------|

PAN-sharpened FCC - Onscreen tree count

- 69 trees

The total corporation area of 172 sq.km is

divided into 35 wards and 250 localities. For
the purpose of tree count, the study area was
subdivided into three groups - trees in
residential locality, trees along major roads and
trees in parks/gardens (as clusters). In the first
round, the trees were counted using a semiautomated method. Then, the unclassified trees
were interpreted visually. Random sampling

Band 2-3-Ratio band FCC - Semi-automated count

- 63 trees

4.11 Water Resources

4.11.1 Snowmelt Runoff Forecast in Sutlej
Basin at Bhakra Reservoir
The snow cover in Sutlej basin is regularly
monitored using NOAA/AVHRR satellite data.
Snowmelt runoff forecast of inflows during
April-May-June 2004 into Bhakra reservoir was

issued as 18 lakh cusec-days to Bhakra Beas

Management Board. The actual measured
inflows were 17 lakh cusec-days.

Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

4.11.2 Inputs for Environmental Studies for

Proposed Hydropower Plant

Sedimentation survey using satellite remote

sensing data has been completed for two
reservoirs - Sriramsagar in Andhra Pradesh and
Ujjani in Maharashtra. The project was
completed in two phases, following which the
officers/engineers from the collaborating
agency, the Central Water and Power Research
Station (CWPRS), Pune were trained.

The merged data of LISS-3 and LISS-4 sensors

was utilized to provide the physical and
environmental setting of the hydropower site
for National Hydroelectric Power Corporation
(NHPC). Submergence area analysis
corresponding to the Full Reservoir Level (FRL)
was carried out to estimate areal extents of
various land use/land cover categories including
phenological types of forest cover and its
density classes. Infrastructure details such as
roads and bridges and human settlements etc.
were also mapped.
This information was used in initial
environmental assessment of the Tamanthi
hydropower project in Myanmar. Proximity
analysis was also carried out to assess the
impact of the project on existing National Parks
and Wild Life Sanctuaries. Thus the
satellite based study has provided
insight into the land use land cover
pattern and their spatial extents
within both submergence area at
FRL and its buffer area around
FRL (Fig.14).
In a similar study, satellite
data has identified broad
land use categories, the
area under each of
them and in
immediate
surroundings in
respect of 8
proposed
hydropower
sites in

4.11.3 Sedimentation Survey of Reservoirs

4.11.4 River Bank Erosion Mapping (CWC)

Bank erosion mapping was undertaken for
Brahmaputra river. IRS LISS-III data of 1996 and
2002 was used to map the extent of erosion at
1:50,000 scale. About 40 erosion maps and 80
photo prints were sent to the user.

15
Fig.14 Land use/land cover map
of submergence area and its
immediate surroundings

Agricultural land
Jhum cultivation
Dense tropical wet evergreen forest
Open tropical wet evergreen forest
Dense subtropical broadleaved forest
Open subtropical broadleaved forest
Secondary tropical evergreen forest
Shrub lands
Barren land/mining area
River bed with active river channel
Water bodies
Settlements/built-up lands
Cloud
600 ft contour
7 km buffere region from
periphery of 600 ft contour
Streams
Settlement location
Dam site
Road

4.11.5 Assessment of Irrigation Potential

High resolution satellite data of the order of
few a meters provides excellent opportunity
to capture the existing irrigation infrastructure
and to monitor the progress of new irrigation
potential created under programs such as the
Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP),
a Central Loan Assistance Program launched in
1996-97 by the Government of India. For this,
a pilot project sponsored by the CWC and
Planning Commission is being taken up. The
study also aims at speeding up the
implementation of ongoing irrigation/multipurpose projects, starting with the Upper
Krishna project command area in Karnataka and
Teesta barrage command area in West Bengal.
4.11.6 Irrigation Utilization

16

From the progression of rice crop acreage,

emergence pattern has been derived and was
used to identify the variability in rice
transplantation period across the command
area. This information assists in rescheduling
of water supplies in accordance with the
changes in demand and also provides scope for
an improved and optimal water allocation plan
considering actual demand scenario.
In another study, an attempt is being made to
understand the trends in water utilisation vis
avis the changing hydrological scenarios,
inventory and change detection of surface
water resources and agricultural crop lands in
parts of Krishna river basin.
4.11.7 Workshops on Performance Evaluation
of Irrigation Projects

Resourcesat-1, with its multi-resolution

capability, is being used to provide irrigation
utilization both at command and basin level to
provide near-real time information for effective
irrigation water utilization. A study carried out
in Hirakud project command area in Orissa
clearly brought out the usefulness of its fiveday revisit capability in monitoring the
progression of rice crop acreage (Fig.15).

The Command Area Development (CAD) Program

sponsored by the Ministry of Water Resources,
Govt. of India was initiated in 1974-75 with the
objective of bridging the gap between the
creation and utilization of irrigation potential
and for optimizing the productivity and
production from irrigated land on a sustainable
basis. In order to make quick and reliable
evaluation of impact of CAD program on
irrigation projects, NRSA completed
Fig.15 Multi-date AWiFS data showing progression of irrigated crop the task of evaluating the
performance of 13 irrigation
area in Hirakud command during Rabi 2003-04
commands aggregating to 3.2 million
hectares of cultivable command
area of spread over five states.

Prior to irrigation Irrigation supplies initiated Field preparation/rice transplantation

Rice transplantation/spectral emergence/active tillering

To reach the benefit of these

evaluation studies to the respective
states, a series of workshops were
organized in each of the five states
of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Maharashtra, West Bengal and
Assam. These interactive workshops
facilitated the command area
officials to deliberate and discuss
the results and observations of each
of the project and to provide
suggestions and feedback.
4.12 Ocean
4.12.1 Estimation of Sub-surface
Temperature Profiles using ANN

Spectral emergence/active tillering/heading

Sub-surface ocean temperature

profiles have been estimated from
surface parameters using Artificial
Neural Network (ANN) approach.
The Root Mean Square (RMS) error

of all the estimated temperatures for all the

depths is 0.584C, with R value of 0.99. The
monthly RMS deviation between the estimated
and in-situ profiles is shown in Fig.16. The
maximum monthly RMS errors of the order of
1.8C are located near the Mixed Layer Depth
(MLD) regions.

(Fig.17) and aquaculture fields in Coringa

(Fig.18).
4.13 ISRO Geosphere Biosphere Programme
4.13.1 ISRO-GBP Land Campaign-II on Aerosols
The primary objectives of the Land Aerosol
Campaign are to characterize the atmospheric
aerosols during the winter period and to identify
the possibilities of transport and transformation
across west to eastern Indian region. This would
also help in understanding the dynamics of fog
formation during winter and the possible role
of atmospheric aerosols.

Fig.16 Monthly root mean square

errors at different ocean depths

9 10 12 14

16

The ISRO-GBP had undertaken a mobile pilot

land aerosol campaign covering 15,000 km road
length in southern India. As a follow up of this
pilot campaign, ISRO-GBP is now mapping the
northern corridor from west to east of India,
covering entire Indo-Gangetic plains through
continuous measurements of aerosols from
December 1st to 31st, 2004.

18 >18 gap

4.12.2 Delineation of Salt Pans

The Land Aerosol Campaign is simultaneously

being conducted in 8 specified locations. This
campaign is complemented through vertical
measurements of atmospheric boundary layer
through Micro Pulse Lidar (MPL) and tethered
balloon. In addition, NRSAs aircraft also would
be making observations through on-board
mounting of some atmospheric measuring
instruments from various altitudinal levels up
to 10 km in the troposphere. There are 28
national institutions participating in this
national endeavour.

Visible band remote sensing has limitations for

coastal zone mapping due to the closeness in
the spectral and spatial properties of the
coastal features like salt pans, beach sands,
aquaculture plots and fly ash dump. Combining
spectral responses of Short Wave Infrared
(SWIR) and visible bands of IRS-P6 LISS-3, it has
been possible to distinguish salt pans at
different stages of crystallization in Kutchchh

FCC

Fig.17 Delineating salt pans

Different stages of salt

encrustations
Land

Brine

Crystelline salt

A Land Aerosol Campaign

project on such a large
scale is being carried out
for the first time in the
country. The NRSA team
is
operating
the
instruments
for
monitoring
aerosol
optical depth, nearsurface aerosol size and
mass distribution and
black carbon aerosol
concentration
at
Allahabad. Analysis of
satellite data for land
surface processes will
also be done.

17

Fig.18 Aquaculture fields

FCC

Extracted aquaculture areas

separated from mangrove

5. Aerial Services and Digital Mapping

5.1 Facilities

18

The unique aerial remote sensing facility at

NRSA has been offering a range of value-added
services to users for over two decades, including
aerial photography and digital mapping,
infrastructure planning, scanner surveys,
aeromagnetic surveys, large scale base map and
topographic and cadastral mapping, etc.
Two aircraft with modern navigational aids,
aerial cameras and sensors and trained human
resources carry out these activities. Facilities
like photo processing lab, analytical/digital
photogrammetric systems, GIS systems, survey
systems like GPS, etc., supported by dedicated
human resources take care of all the analysis
and processing requirements. Augmentation like
FMC magazine, GYRO stabilized mount etc., are
being planned to meet the international flying
standards. Installation and acceptance of
Airborne Laser Terrain Mapper - Digital Camera
(ALTM-DC) system has been done after
calibration tasks over 4 different terrains. Site
preparation for ALTM-DC calibration was carried
out at Hyderabad airport and Shadnagar.

Fig.19 Flying hours

2004-05

588

2003-04

572.5
272.25

2002-03
0

200

400

600 hrs

5.2 Aerial Survey and

Digital Mapping Tasks
This
year,
the
utilization of the two
SKA B200 aircraft was
significantly higher at
588 hours, mainly on
account
of
international aerial
survey tasks (Fig.19).

A number of aerial
survey as well as range
calibration/sensor
validation tasks were
carried out during the
year. A pole-to-pole
survey for electrical network mapping was done
for West Bengal State Electricity Board in
collaboration with Kolkata Metropolitan
Development Authority. GPS field survey was
done for all categories of EHV, HV & LV (both
overhead and underground feeders) starting
from 400 KV to 230 volts in Howarh,
Biddhannagar and 24 Paraganas (south)
distribution circles. GPS and GIS techniques
were adopted for collection of location and
their attributes of 6 lakh poles in these circles
covering 63 electric supply units to facilitate
development of power GIS applications.
A customized municipal GIS solution for stand
alone application and web browser based
application has been developed for the
Revenue, Engineering, Health and Horticulture
Departments of the Bangalore Mahanagar
Palike. CAD data also has been converted to
GIS database and field maps have been supplied
at 1:500 scale. Some of the tasks taken up and
completed this year as well as ongoing
assignments are detailed in the table.
5.3 International Assignments
Thematic mapping of Dubai and Hatta regions
was taken up this year for Global Scan
Technologies, Dubai and successfully executed.
Post-tsunami, ALTM-DC survey and aerial
photography were done over the affected areas
of Sri Lanka and the islands of Maldives for the
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
As a part of the project on Digital Mapping of
Maldives, monumentation and GPS surveys over
pre-signalized points and reference/base
stations has been completed. GPS survey for
selected islands has also been completed. In-

depth training has been conducted for Maldivian

officials.

* Four target areas for ALTM-DC validation for

about 100 sq. km. comprising of 68 points

5.4 Generation of Aerial Photo Products

5.6 Current Assignments

As many as 47,938 B&W prints and diapositives

were generated from aerial surveys, mainly for
the tasks of TCPO (Phase-III), Maldives, Mumbai,
Visakhapatnam and Karnataka. 9713 frames of
aerial photographs have been scanned using two
precision photogrammetric scanners.

While many tasks were taken up and executed

this year, these are some of the other projects
that have been awarded and are being done:

5.5 GPS Surveys/Kinematic GPS Operations

Calibration targets have been established at
Shadnagar by surveying the boundaries and
fixing the targets at regular intervals and finding
the coordinates by GPS survey. GPS reference
station has been operated for NWDA project.
GPS surveys have been done over Hampi for
RRRSC, Bangalore, and over Uttarkashi for
Disaster Management Support project. GPS
survey and data processing has been done for
* Hyderabad airport runway
* Test sites Chirala, Yellapur, Kesamudram and
Hyderabad-urban
* Belgaum, Nasik, Porbandar and Surat for
Cartosat-2 project
* Three towns for APUSP, Kolkata, Agartala,
Guwahati and 7 towns of LSM project

Sl.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Consultancy work for aerial photography of

project and reservoir area for National
Thermal Power Corporation, Noida
Aerial digital camera operations and
processing for tsunami task for Disaster
Management Support Project, Dept. of Space
Aerial flying over Abujmad area (2400 sq. km)
of Chattisgarh for Commissioner, Land
Records, Govt. of Chattisgarh
Aerial flying over Ahmedabad and Chennai on
1:6000 scale for Survey of India, Dehradun
6. Training
Creating trained manpower for optimum
utilization of remote sensing technology as well
as building awareness about allied areas is one
of the key areas of focus.
The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) at
Dehradun, Uttaranchal imparts training,

Task
Aerial survey tasks
B&W aerial photography over Mumbai on 1: 6000 scale
B&W aerial photography over Vizag on 1: 6000 scale
B&W aerial photography for 2 of the 16 towns on 1:8000
scale in Karnataka
ALTM-DC survey over Inchampally-Nagarjunasagar,
Inchampally-Kinnerasani
ALTM-DC survey over tsunami-affected areas of coastal
AP, TN, Kerala and Pondicherry and A&N islands
Aeromagnetic survey over IndoGangetic plains
comprising of about 7,000 line km at 500 ft altitude
totaling to 12,000 line km so far

Digital mapping tasks

Bangalore city and surroundings on 1:5000, 1:10,000 &
1:20,000 scale covering 1424 sq.km
8. Base map at 1:5000 scale for 11 towns in A.P. using high
resolution satellite data
9. Mapping for 16 towns covering 1200 sq.km (12 towns
with hi-res mono data and 4 towns with hi-res stereo
data)
Range calibration / sensor validation tasks
10. SAR sensor validation tasks comprising of 97:25 hrs over
Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Bhubaneshwar, Patna & Guwahati
11. Range calibration tasks of 37:40 hrs
7.

Project/User
Survey of India, Dehradun
Aerial photography, photogrammetric
mapping for Vizag Municipal
Corporation
Aerial photography of 16 towns in
Karnataka for KSRSAC
National Water Development
Authority, Hyderabad
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi
Aeromagnetic survey over Indo
Gangetic plains of about 40,000 line
kms for Directorate General of
Hydrocarbons (DGH)
Bangalore Development Authority
(BDA), Bangalore
Andhra Pradesh Urban Services for the
Poor (APUSP), Govt. of A.P
Large Scale Mapping (LSM) project

Validation of SAR sensor by Space

Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad
Defense Research and Development
Organization

19

education
a
n
d
M.Tech/M.Sc.
38
awareness
PG Diploma
21
for various
CSSTEAP course
21
c r o s s 3-4 month courses
87
sections of
Short-term/user-defined 269
people

right from
students and trainees to government officials
and decision-makers. It is a unique organization
in the entire South-East Asia, fully equipped
with sophisticated systems for Image
Processing, GIS, Geoinformatics, Digital
Photogrammetry, etc.
People trained during 2004-05

based Direct Archival and Quick Look System

(PCDAQLS).
The PCSCS has been developed for remote
sensing satellite tracking stations. The main
advantage of this system is improved reliability
with reduced hardware, besides being userfriendly (Fig.20). The PCDAQLS not only
performs data recording function but also
carries out the processing functions as required.
This makes the effective cost of the recording
system negligible as it replaces expensive HighDensity Digital Tape Recorder (HDTR).
Fig.20 PC-based Servo Control System

Long and short-term training in various

application disciplines, Digital Image
Processing, GIS (Geoinformatics), Digital
Photogrammetry, etc. are being imparted,
leading to Certificate, PG Diploma, M.Sc. and
M.Tech degrees. 14 students of the M.Tech.
Course on RS and GIS (2002-2004 batch) were
awarded degrees by Andhra University during
September 2004.

20

IIRS is recognized by UNESCO as a training

center in capacity building for disaster
reduction program. The Centre for Space
Science and Technology Education in Asia and
the Pacific (CSSTEAP), affiliated to the United
Nations, has arrangements with IIRS as host
institution for conducting programs related to
Remote Sensing and GIS (PG Course in RS and
GIS and also international short course every
year). Faculty and infrastructure support is
provided to the CSSTEAP, which is located in
IIRS campus.
On the request of Geoinformatics and Space
Technology Development Agency (GISTDA),
Bangkok, a special course was organized on
Geoinformatics Applications in Disaster
Mitigation and Sustainable Natural Resource
Development for 11 of their officials.
Short-term courses ranging from four to twelve
weeks on remote sensing and its applications,
image processing and GIS are offered by the
Training Group at NRSA, Hyderabad.
This year, a total of 436 Indian and foreign
participants were trained at IIRS (301) and at
NRSA Headquarters (135) at Hyderabad,
including 21 participants of the CSSTEAP course.
7. Technology Development and R&D
NRSA has developed two technologies - PCbased Servo Control System (PCSCS) and PC-

The know-how of these two technologies has

been transferred to two private industries for
commercial production. With these, a total of
32 technologies developed by NRSA so far, have
been transferred to the industry.
R&D is being carried out on following areas:
Image processing techniques for very high
resolution satellite imagery
Reduction of onboard data transmission rate
for LISS-4 multi-spectral imagery from
Resourcesat-1
Selection of spectral band for Resourcesat-1
LISS-4 Mono operations
Multispectral quality enhancement by
compensating for Modulation Transfer
Function (MTF) of LISS-4 imagery
8. Outreach Programme
NRSA has a strong outreach programme that
seeks to promote the technology of remote
sensing, while also creating awareness about
the Indian earth observation programme, its
capabilities and potentials. An awareness
programme on remote sensing was organized
for the students and teachers of a Kendriya
Vidyalaya in Bhubaneshwar (Fig.21). Several
exhibitions and workshops were held in
different places in India .

Fig.21 Awareness programme for school children

The 15th User Interaction Meet, which focused
on the latest developments in data products,
services and applications, was attended by 300
participants from a vast section of users. A
permanent exhibition at NRSA campus gives a
picture of the space activities in India and about
NRSA. Advertisements have been released in
technical magazines. Specific training/
demonstration of technology are being done for
users. In order to encourage the use of remote
sensing data in research and for other new
areas, data is being provided to the academic
users at a discount.
9. ISO Achieved
Internal audits and external ISO certification
team audit were completed. NRSA Quality
Management System was standardized
successfully to meet the requirements of ISO
9001:2000 standards. This has been verified by
Standardization, Testing and Quality Control
(STQC), New Delhi. NRSA has achieved the ISO
9001:2000 certificate (Fig.22).
10. Academic Sensitization
The Research Sponsored (RESPOND) Programme
of the Department of Space encourages quality
research in fields considered relevant to the
countrys space programme. Financial support
is provided to universities and academic
institutions for conducting research and
development activities related to Space
Sciences, Space Technology and Space
Applications in India. 11 such projects that are
going on in universities all over India, are
supported by NRSA. The progress of these
projects was reviewed.
11. Events/Seminars/Workshops
* April 2004
* NRSA-ISRO-ITC Research Workshop

* May 2004
* UN-ESCAP Workshop on Agricultural Drought
Monitoring and Assessment System using
Space Technology
* June 2004
* Flood Disaster Management - Space Inputs
* IIIrd Annual NATP Workshop
* August 2004
* 7th ISRO Policy and Programme Council
(IPPC) Meeting organised by NRSA
* September 2004
* Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Science and Technology, Environment and
Forests visited NRSA
* October 2004
* One year of Resourcesat-1 in orbit
* November 2004
* End-of-Study Workshop for Performance
Evaluation of 13 CAD Projects for A.P state
* February 2005
* 15th User Interaction Workshop
12. International Collaboration
12.1 IIRS-ITC Collaboration
The second phase of collaboration between IIRS
and ITC, The Netherlands has concluded. The
association was a fruitful one in terms of

Fig.22

21

13%

18%

10%

5%

5%

7%

1%

41%

program for Hindi shorthand and

typewriting on computers is being
organized. NRSA website also
includes a link in Hindi. NRSA also
extends support to ADRIN for
implementation of Official
Language. One scientist passed
Hindi Prabodh examination with
distinction.

Aerial services
Value added services
Satellite data products/services
Training
Fig.23 Source of
System projects
funds for NRSA
Special projects
Grant-in-aid
Others
15. General
15.1 Personnel
Manpower of the organisation including IIRS,
Dehradun, was 933 (as against the sanctioned
strength of 1074) as on March 31, 2005, with
620 technical and 313 non-technical employees.
The policies of Government of India on
reservations in services for SC, ST OBC
categories as applicable to Department of Space
are followed in NRSA. Liaison Officers monitor
the above reservations. In NRSA, we have 130
employees belonging to SC category, 29
employees to ST and 43 employees to OBC
categories. 110 apprentices were trained in
technical and commercial trades.
As part of HRD activities, 172 employees at
various levels were trained for both technical
as well as soft skills such as management and
personality development, including a 3-day
programme for the members of NRSA Employee
Union. A new concept of learning a subject,
called Learn with a Colleague, has been
started, where the teacher is one of our
colleagues, a step towards making NRSA a
learning organization.
Independence Day, Republic Day, National
Science Day, National Safety Day, Vigilance
Awareness Week and Safety Week were
observed at NRSA. Popular lectures on various
topics were also arranged.
15.2 Official Language Implementation
More than 90% of NRSA employees possess a
working knowledge of Hindi. In-house training

Rajbhasha Samaroh2004 was

celebrated at NRSA during
September 2004, with several
competitions for the employees
like essay writing, elocution,
typing and also cultural
programme. ISM-V5, A multilingual
network-based software was
inaugurated on Hindi Diwas,
enabling all the computers
connected over NRSAs Intranet to work in 12
Indian languages. This software also allows word
processing as well as web-page development.
Fourth issue of NRSA house journal Samvaad was
released. NRSAs weekly e-magazine Guruvaar
Bulletin is issued regularly on intranet. A special
Hindi workshop was organized exclusively for
officers and staff working in transport section,
with participation from ADRIN.
15.3 Awards/Honors for NRSA
Dr. K. Srinivas, Manager, Database Systems,
has been elected Fellow of Royal Statistical
Society, UK and also the Fellow of Institution
of Electronics and Telecommunication
Engineers (IETE), India.
Dr. R.K Gupta, Group Director, Training &
Educational Activities has been inducted as
Fellow of Indian National Academy of
Engineering (INAE).
Shri K. Neelakantan, Scientist with Land Use
& Urban Studies Division, received 2nd Best
Poster Paper at the ISRS Annual Symposium
at Jaipur.

Dr. N. R. Patel, Scientist with Agriculture &

Soils Division of IIRS has been awarded ISRSSPECK Award 2004 for best oral paper
presented at the ISRS Annual Symposium at
Jaipur
Ms. SVL Bhavani, Scientist with Land Use &
Urban Studies Division, received the
Consolation Award for her poster paper at the
ISRS Annual Symposium at Jaipur.

23

 Dr. Suresh Kumar, Scientist with Agriculture

& Soils Division of IIRS received the
Consolation Award for his poster paper at the
ISRS Annual Symposium at Jaipur.
15.4 Selected list of Publications and Reports
Publications

24

1. R.K Gupta, D. Vijayan, T.S Prasad and P.M

Bala Manikavelu, Assessing limits of
classification accuracy attainable through
maximum likelihood method in Remote
Sensing, Asian Journal of Water,
Environment and Pollution, Vol.1, No. 1&2,
99-108, 2004
2. A. Senthil Kumar, A.S Manjunath and K.M.M
Rao, Role of Advance image processing
techniques for very high resolution satellite
imagery, Journal of Spacecraft Technology,
vol. 15 (1), pp. 53-57, 2005
3. R.S Dwivedi, K. Sreenivas and K.V Ramana,
Comparison of classifiers of remote sensing
data for land-use/land-cover mapping,
Current Science 86 (2): 328-335, 2004.
4. S.P Wani, Piara Singh, R.S Dwivedi, R.R
Navalgund and A. Ramakrishna, Measurable
biophysical indicators for assessing impact
of integrated natural resources management
technologies at ecoregion scale, Shiferaw,
B., Freeman, H.A, and Swinton, S. (eds.) NR
Management in Agriculture: Methods for
Assessing Economic and Environmental
Impacts. CABI Publishing, 2004.
5. R.S Dwivedi, K. Sreenivas, and K.V Ramana,
Detection of waterlogging using spaceborne
multispectral measurements, Current
Science, 2004.
6. P.V Narasimharao and M.V.R Sesha Sai,
Clouds over land in ENVISAT ASAR C-Band
image, International Journal of Remote
Sensing, 2004.
7. M.M Ali, D. Swain and R. Weller, Estimation
of ocean sub-surface thermal structure from
surface parameters: A neural network
approach, Geophysical Research Letters,
Vol. 31, 120308, 2004.
8. V. Ramaswamy, P.S Rao, K.H Rao, Swe Thwin,
N. Srinivasa Rao and V. Raiker, Tidal
influence on suspended sediment
distribution and dispersal in the northern
Andaman Sea and Gulf of Martaban, Marine
Geology, Volume 208, Issue 1, 2004.
Reports
1. Assessment of waterlogging and soil salinity
and/or alkalinity in Krishnarajasagar
command area of Karnataka.

2. Evaluation of airborne SAR data for deriving

information on natural resources.
3. Quantification of soil loss
4. Integrated Natural Resource Management
using Remote Sensing and Geographic
Information System techniques Reports for
Rewari, Mahendergarh, Jhjjar, Hisar,
Fatehabad, Sirsa districts (Haryana) and
Dawanagere, Bellary, Raichur districts
(Karnataka).
15.5 Outreach
1. Early Results of Resourcesat-1
2. Readings in Remote Sensing Image
Processing issue
3. NRSA Lecture Series
4. updates@nrsa - NRSAs quarterly newsletter
5. Samvaad 4th issue of NRSAs House Journal
in Hindi
6. Interface - A quarterly bulletin from NRSA
Data Centre
7. Guruvaar Bulletin - Weekly Hindi magazine
on NRSAs Intranet
8. Contact Newsletter from IIRS

-- - -

- ,
- , - 500 037.

National Remote Sensing Agency

Department of Space, Government of India
Balanagar, Hyderabad 500 037. India

www.nrsa.gov.in