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The “Atlas of Integrated Land Use Planning of Saiha District, Mizoram”, prepared by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC), Science & Technology, Planning Department, represents a district-wide geospatial initiative designed to translate natural-resource information into practical land- and water-development strategies. The Atlas was developed in support of scientifically guided development and implementation of the New Land Use Policy (NLUP). Its principal objective was to formulate appropriate land-use options for individual villages by integrating natural-resource potential, terrain constraints, existing land utilization and infrastructure within a Remote Sensing and GIS-based planning framework.The project employed multi-resolution satellite datasets including IRS LISS-III, IRS LISS-IV, Cartosat-I and QuickBird imagery. These datasets were used to assess existing land use, terrain and slope, soil characteristics, permanent agricultural and horticultural areas, rainfall conditions, groundwater and surface-water resources, settlements and transport connectivity. The thematic information was subsequently integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify spatially appropriate development options. A notable feature of the Atlas is its village-level approach, in which individual settlements are represented through paired map products—one showing transport networks, settlements and drainage, and the other presenting the corresponding Integrated Land Use Plan. Preparation of the Atlas also involved cooperation from the Saiha District Administration, various Government departments and Village Councils during data provision and field verification.At the district level, the planning exercise covered 1,399.90 sq. km. Proposed productive land-development interventions included 37.61 sq. km for WRC/pisciculture, 38.23 sq. km for terrace cultivation, 64.04 sq. km for agro-horticulture, 58.52 sq. km for agriculture/horticulture plantations, 137.86 sq. km for silviculture and pasture development, and 100.94 sq. km for afforestation. Collectively, these proposed development categories account for approximately 437.20 sq. km, or 31.23% of the district area.The Atlas simultaneously recognized the importance of retaining major natural and protected landscapes. Forest constituted 585.26 sq. km (41.81%), bamboo occupied 178.31 sq. km (12.74%), and Reserve Forests, plantations and departmental lands accounted for another 177.49 sq. km (12.68%). Water bodies covered 9.06 sq. km (0.65%), while built-up areas accounted for 12.58 sq. km (0.90%).Water-resource planning formed a particularly substantial component of the study. The district-wide plan proposed 1,532 water-development structures, comprising 1,094 check dams, 169 rainwater-harvesting ponds, 119 intake weirs, 20 distribution tanks and 130 irrigation channels. Overall, the Atlas demonstrates the practical application of satellite Remote Sensing, GIS and field information for micro-level, village-oriented resource planning, providing an important decision-support database for NLUP implementation, agriculture and horticulture development, soil and water conservation, forestry, watershed management, infrastructure planning and sustainable rural development in Saiha District. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:10,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS P6 LISS III, LISS IV, Cartosat I & Quickbird (2009-2010)Thematic sub-category: Land resources; Village level planningCollaborating/Funding Agency: Science & Technology, Planning Department, Government of MizoramAtlas Publication Month/Year: August, 2011

The “Atlas of Integrated Land Use Planning of Serchhip District, Mizoram”, prepared by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC), Science & Technology, Planning Department, represents a district-wide geospatial planning initiative aimed at translating natural-resource information into practical land- and water-development recommendations. The Atlas was prepared in the context of the State Government’s emphasis on scientifically guided development and the New Land Use Policy (NLUP). Its principal objective was to formulate suitable land-use options for individual villages by integrating terrain, natural-resource and infrastructure information using modern Remote Sensing and GIS technologies.The project utilized multi-resolution satellite datasets including IRS LISS-III, IRS LISS-IV, Cartosat-I and QuickBird imagery to assess existing land use, terrain configuration and slope, soils, permanent agricultural and horticultural areas, rainfall, groundwater and surface-water resources, transport networks and settlements. These datasets were integrated in a GIS environment to identify resource potential, physical limitations and suitable development options. The Atlas adopted a distinctly village-level planning approach, presenting paired map products comprising transport-network, settlement and drainage information alongside corresponding Integrated Land Use Planning maps.At the district level, the planning exercise covered 1,421.60 sq. km. Proposed productive land-development interventions included 16.95 sq. km for WRC/pisciculture, 57.10 sq. km for terrace cultivation, 76.17 sq. km for agro-horticulture, 61.74 sq. km for agriculture/horticulture plantations, 167.19 sq. km for silviculture and pasture development, and 149.68 sq. km for afforestation. Together, these proposed development categories account for approximately 528.83 sq. km, or 37.19% of the district.The assessment also recognized the importance of maintaining existing natural and administratively protected land resources. Forest accounted for 590.95 sq. km (41.57%), while bamboo occupied 212.09 sq. km (14.92%) and Reserve Forests, plantations and departmental lands another 71.44 sq. km (5.03%). Thus, the plan combined livelihood-oriented land development with substantial retention of forest and bamboo landscapes.Water-resource development constituted another major outcome. The district plan identified 459 proposed structures, comprising 226 check dams, 33 rainwater-harvesting ponds, 93 intake weirs, 9 distribution tanks and 98 irrigation channels. Overall, the Atlas demonstrates how satellite Remote Sensing, GIS-based multi-thematic analysis and local field information can be translated into spatially explicit village-level action plans. Its maps and planning database provide valuable decision-support inputs for NLUP implementation, agriculture and horticulture development, soil and water conservation, forestry, watershed management, infrastructure planning and sustainable rural development in Serchhip District. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:10,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS P6 LISS III, LISS IV, Cartosat I & Quickbird (2009-2010)Thematic sub-category: Land resources; Village level planningCollaborating/Funding Agency: Science & Technology, Planning Department, Government of MizoramAtlas Publication Month/Year: March, 2011

The project “Land Use Planning for NLUP Implementation using Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System – A Pilot Study of Zawngling Village, Saiha District”, undertaken by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC) in 2010, was conceived as a micro-level scientific planning initiative to support implementation of Mizoram’s New Land Use Policy (NLUP). The study aimed to develop a viable methodology for integrating spatial and non-spatial information, prepare thematic databases on land use/land cover, soils, slope, water resources and socio-economic conditions, and formulate pragmatic land- and water-resource development plans consistent with local resource potential, community needs and government priorities.The study covered Zawngling Village in Saiha District, with a geographical area of 98.02 sq. km, situated in southern Mizoram near the Indo-Myanmar boundary. The project integrated IRS-P6 LISS-IV satellite data and Cartosat-1 stereo PAN imagery acquired in 2009, Survey of India topographic maps, departmental records, field observations and GPS-based ground verification. Image processing and enhancement were undertaken using ERDAS Imagine, while GIS integration and analysis were performed in ARC/INFO. Cartosat stereo imagery supported derivation of terrain parameters, including slope and Digital Elevation Models, while thematic information was prepared at a detailed 1:5,000 mapping scale.The analysis highlighted the strongly undulating character of the village landscape. About 46.08% of the area falls within the 50–100% slope class, while another 10.61% exceeds 100% slope, indicating substantial terrain constraints for conventional agriculture. Land-use assessment showed that forests dominate the landscape: dense forest covers 34.00 sq. km, open forest 16.80 sq. km, bamboo 8.62 sq. km, while current and abandoned shifting cultivation occupy 6.11 and 20.31 sq. km, respectively. Permanent agricultural land remains comparatively limited, with WRC and plantation areas together accounting for less than 1 sq. km. Soil investigations further indicated generally acidic conditions, with several sampled cultivation sites recording pH values around 4.0–4.5, reinforcing the need for site-specific soil-management interventions.Based on integrated GIS analysis, the project proposed 2.75 sq. km for WRC/pisciculture, 3.41 sq. km for terrace cultivation, 5.71 sq. km for agro-horticulture, 4.50 sq. km for agricultural/horticultural plantations, 10.02 sq. km for silviculture/pasture and 14.82 sq. km for afforestation, while retaining major forest and bamboo areas for conservation. Water-resource planning additionally recommended 33 check dams, 26 fish/farm ponds, 12 rainwater-harvesting ponds, 24 intake weirs, 10 distribution tanks and 14 steel gates. Overall, the study demonstrated how high-resolution Remote Sensing, GIS and field-based resource assessment can translate NLUP guidelines into spatially explicit, village-level action plans for sustainable agriculture, water management, livelihood improvement and reduction of dependence on shifting cultivation. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:5,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS P6 LISS IV (2009) & Cartosat-I (2009)Thematic sub-category: Land resources; Land Use PlanningCollaborating/Funding Agency: NIB (NLUP Implementing Board)Report Publication Month/Year: October, 2010

The project “National Land Degradation Mapping using Multi-temporal Satellite Data – Mizoram” was undertaken by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC) as the State component of the nationwide land-degradation mapping programme initiated under the Natural Resources Census Programme of the Department of Space, Government of India and coordinated by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad. The study aimed to generate a standardized land-degradation map and digital database for Mizoram at 1:50,000 scale, using three-season multi-temporal IRS-P6 LISS-III data for Kharif, Rabi and Zaid periods of 2005–2006, following the prescribed NRC-LDM classification and codification framework.Mizoram’s rugged hill terrain, steep slopes, high rainfall and extensive shifting cultivation make the State particularly vulnerable to soil erosion and associated land degradation. The assessment therefore focused on identifying the spatial extent, type and severity of degradation and integrating the results into seamless district- and State-level GIS databases suitable for planning, reclamation and monitoring.The study found that water erosion was the dominant primary degradation process, affecting about 4,352.20 sq. km, or 20.63% of Mizoram’s geographical area. Of this, sheet erosion alone accounted for 4,332.62 sq. km (20.55%), making it by far the most widespread degradation class. Sheet erosion was particularly associated with current jhum areas and young abandoned jhum lands, where vegetation removal, steep slopes and intense rainfall accelerate topsoil loss.A second major concern was soil acidification, which affected nearly 60% of the State, generally in the moderate acidic range. The report links this condition to leaching of base cations under heavy rainfall, resulting in reduced soil pH and impaired nutrient uptake. District-level analysis revealed substantial variation: Champhai recorded about 29.67% of its area under sheet erosion, Serchhip about 29.10%, Lawngtlai 24.37%, Saiha 19.80%, Lunglei 18.44%, Mamit 14.59%, and Kolasib 11.75%. Soil acidity was especially extensive in Kolasib (76.01%), Mamit (70.42%) and Lunglei (65.93%).Overall, the project established that approximately one-fifth of Mizoram is affected by primary land degradation, predominantly through water erosion, while moderate soil acidity constitutes an even broader secondary constraint. The study highlights shifting cultivation as a major driver of erosion and recommends alternative cultivation systems and reclamation measures to arrest further degradation. The resulting maps and GIS database provide an important scientific baseline for soil and water conservation, watershed development, land reclamation, agricultural planning, jhum management, productivity improvement and future monitoring of landscape degradation across Mizoram. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D LISS-III (2005 & 2006)Thematic sub-category: Land Resources, SoilCollaborating/Funding Agency: National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)Report Publication Month/Year: October, 2009

The project “National Land Use/Land Cover Mapping using Multi-Temporal Satellite Data – Mizoram” was undertaken as part of the Natural Resources Census Programme of the Department of Space, Government of India, with the nationwide exercise coordinated by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad. The Mizoram component was implemented by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC) in close coordination with NESAC, Shillong, with technical guidance and quality assessment support from both NRSC and NESAC. Its principal objectives were to generate a standardized Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) database for 2005–2006, prepare seamless district- and State-level digital datasets using the NRC-LULC 50K classification framework, and provide a reliable geospatial basis for resource planning and future monitoring.The study covered the entire 21,087 sq. km geographical area of Mizoram and employed multi-temporal IRS-P6 LISS-III imagery representing the Kharif, Rabi and Zaid seasons. Satellite interpretation was supported by Survey of India 1:50,000 topographic maps, existing thematic maps, road and settlement information, census and statistical records, and field verification. Mapping was carried out through on-screen interpretation using standardized image interpretation keys, followed by ground-truthing, post-field correction, internal accuracy assessment and external quality assurance. The final database comprised major categories such as built-up land, agriculture, forest, bamboo, grassland, wasteland, water bodies and shifting cultivation.The State-level assessment showed that forest was the dominant land-cover category, occupying 17,046.57 sq. km or 80.83% of Mizoram. Within this, bamboo alone covered 7,666.27 sq. km (36.35%), making it the single largest individual LULC class. Dense forest accounted for 3,436.09 sq. km (16.29%), open forest 2,524.97 sq. km (11.97%), and scrub forest 3,277.52 sq. km (15.54%).Shifting cultivation remained another major feature of the landscape. Current jhum occupied 1,039.92 sq. km (4.93%), while abandoned jhum covered 1,589.33 sq. km (7.54%), together accounting for about 12.47% of the State. Agricultural land was comparatively limited, with Kharif cropland covering 861.60 sq. km (4.09%). Built-up land formed less than 1% of the State, although Aizawl District recorded the largest urban concentration.The report further observed strong spatial variation among districts: bamboo dominated several western and southern districts, while agricultural and shifting-cultivation land use was more pronounced in areas such as Aizawl and Champhai. The project also noted that bamboo flowering during the mapping period influenced vegetation cover and highlighted the interaction between natural processes, human activities and land-use change.Overall, the project established a comprehensive LULC baseline for Mizoram. Its maps, statistics and GIS database provide an essential reference for land-use planning, forestry, agriculture, watershed management, environmental monitoring, infrastructure development and future change-detection studies, while also enabling integration with the national natural-resource information system. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS P6 LISS-III (2005 & 2006)Thematic sub-category: Land Resources, Land Use Land CoverCollaborating/Funding Agency: National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)Report Publication Month/Year: October, 2009