The Union Home Minister and President of NESAC Society, Chief Ministers of NE States and other members suggested many new initiatives for the enhancement of space applications in the NE region;

1. While acknowledging that more than 10 departments in each NE State are actively utilizing space applications, it was suggested that at least 25 departments from each of the state shall be identified for utilization of space applications in consultation with respective Chief Secretaries. This will be followed up by the Ministry of Home Affairs and M/o Development of North-Eastern Region.
2. Identify the deforested areas as well as potential open areas for afforestation in the NER.
3. Initiate flood mapping for entire NER.
4. Prepare a roadmap highlighting the best practices in space applications relevant for NER.
5. Carry out mapping of minerals, oil, and coal in the NER.
6. Plan for organizing interaction event for Govt officials, young generation, students, woman from all segments and tribals in consultation with Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
7. Collaborate with Manipur Remote Sensing Application Centre (MARSAC) towards development of GIS-based cadastral information system for Manipur and augmentation of drone facilities in consultation with NEC.
8. Carryout a comprehensive study on river morphology for Teesta and Rangeet rivers in collaboration with Sikkim Science & Technology Council.
9. Support hydro geo-morphology mapping for 42 Rural Development (RD) blocks in Tripura and the updation of Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) of 12 urban local bodies in the state.
10. Provide technical guidance to Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre (NGISRSC) for formulating a proposal on setting-up of a Geospatial centre in Kohima and Dimapur.
11. Prepare a plan for LIDAR survey for Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generation for flood prone areas of Assam, in consultation with MHA.

As per the suggestions made by the Hon’ble Union Home Minister andPresident of NESAC Society during the 12th meeting of NESAC Society, a new programme called “North East Student’s Program for Awareness, Reach and Knowledge on Space” (NE-SPARKS), has been initiated. Under this program, Ministry of DoNER will facilitate the visit of 800 young and talented science stream students (100 from each NE State) to ISRO with the support of respective state governments.

NESAC/ DoS, Shillong offers opportunities for students and research scholars through the Student Internship Scheme and Student Project Trainee Scheme with the duration of 45 days (internship) and upto 120 days (project trainees). These programs are designed to give students hands-on experience, allowing them to work under Scientists /Engineers in the relevant areas. Students from various academic institutions can benefit from these schemes, gaining valuable insights into space research and technology as part of their academic curriculum.

ISRO organises a special programme for School Children called "Young Scientist Programme" "YUva VIgyani KAryakram”, YUVIKA, to impart basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger students in emerging trends in space science and technology amongst the youngsters, who are the future building blocks of our nation. ISRO has chalked out this programme to "Catch them young" selecting Ten students of class IX and X standards from each State and Union Territory (UT) including NE States. The programme encourages more students to pursue in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based research /career.

NESAC receives required funds from the Government of India in the form of grant-in-aid. In addition, the centre also earns financial resources by executing a large number of externally funded projects from various user departments under Central/State Governments, PSUs, and a few other non-government agencies

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

 

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2110833)