Browse Publications

The “Meteorological Data of Mizoram” project was undertaken by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC), Science & Technology, Planning Department, Government of Mizoram, to create a consolidated meteorological reference database for scientific studies, Remote Sensing and GIS applications, and development planning in the State. The report reviewed here represents the first phase of the project, covering available meteorological observations primarily for the period 1986–2008 and published in 2009. The initiative responded to the recurring requirement for dependable climatic inputs in natural-resource assessment, agricultural studies, environmental monitoring and other geospatial projects. The database was compiled from records obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Government of Mizoram; Department of Economics & Statistics, Government of Mizoram; and BRTF, Project Pushpak.The report organizes district-wise and State-level information on rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. Rainfall records were available for all eight districts, while temperature data could be compiled for five districts—Kolasib, Aizawl, Champhai, Lunglei and Lawngtlai—and humidity information for four districts. Other meteorological variables such as wind direction, wind velocity and sunshine duration could not be systematically tabulated because adequate historical records were unavailable.The compiled observations reveal Mizoram’s strongly monsoonal climatic regime. State-level rainfall records show considerable inter-annual variation, with annual totals generally exceeding 2,000 mm and several years approaching or surpassing 2,700 mm. Rainfall is concentrated between May and September, while the winter months are comparatively dry. District-level contrasts are also evident: for example, Lawngtlai recorded an average annual rainfall of about 2,532 mm, whereas Mamit averaged approximately 2,692 mm over its available record. Temperature data for Mizoram indicate a relatively moderate thermal regime, with monthly mean temperatures ranging from about 16.4°C in January to approximately 25.4°C in June. Recorded monthly maxima in the district datasets reached around 39°C, while winter minima in some locations fell to near 1–7°C. Relative humidity remained high for much of the monsoon period, with State-level monthly averages reaching around 90% during July–August, compared with generally lower values during the drier winter months.Overall, the project established an important historical climatic baseline for Mizoram. Its organized meteorological tables provide a valuable reference for agriculture and horticulture planning, hydrological studies, forestry, environmental assessment, infrastructure design, disaster-risk analysis, climate-related research and Remote Sensing/GIS modelling. The report also recognized the need for continued database updating, providing the foundation for the subsequent second-phase extension of the meteorological record beyond 2008. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: N.A Satellite data & Year: N.AThematic sub-category: Meteorology; Climate; Weather dataCollaborating/Funding Agency: Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC)Report Publication Month/Year: November, 2009

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

The project “National Wastelands Monitoring using Multi-Temporal Satellite Data – Mizoram”, completed in 2009 by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC), Science & Technology, Planning Department, formed part of a national programme initiated by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) for systematic updating and monitoring of wastelands using satellite remote sensing. The principal objective was to update the spatial extent and distribution of wastelands with reference to the 2003 database using 2005–2006 satellite data, and to develop a standardized digital database and information system suitable for subsequent monitoring and reclamation planning.The study covered the entire geographical area of Mizoram, 21,087 sq. km, comprising eight districts characterized by rugged hill terrain, high rainfall, extensive forest cover and widespread shifting cultivation. Multi-temporal IRS-P6 LISS-III satellite imagery acquired for Kharif, Rabi and Zaid seasons during 2005–2006 was used together with Survey of India topographic maps at 1:50,000 scale, existing land-use/land-cover and wasteland maps, road and settlement information, census and statistical data, and field observations. Mapping was undertaken through on-screen visual interpretation, seasonal comparison, ground verification and GIS-based database compilation following the standard National Wastelands Monitoring classification and methodology.Five major wasteland categories were identified for Mizoram: Scrub Forest–Scrub Dominated, Scrubland–Open Scrub, Current Shifting Cultivation, Abandoned Shifting Cultivation, and Degraded Pastures/Grazing Land. The mapped wasteland classes together account for approximately 5,941.77 sq. km, or 28.18% of the State’s geographical area, with the remaining 15,145.23 sq. km (71.82%) classified under non-wasteland or “Others”. Among the individual categories, Scrub Forest–Scrub Dominated was the most extensive at 3,364.51 sq. km (15.95%), followed by Abandoned Shifting Cultivation at 1,379.06 sq. km (6.54%) and Current Shifting Cultivation at 1,049.64 sq. km (4.97%). Open scrub occupied only 38.42 sq. km (0.18%), while degraded pasture/grazing land covered 110.13 sq. km (0.52%).A major component of the project was change detection between the 2003 and 2005–2006 wasteland databases. The analysis identified 4,130.68 sq. km of new wasteland, equivalent to 19.59% of Mizoram’s geographical area. Champhai District recorded the largest proportion of new wasteland at 30.92% of its district area, while Mamit recorded the lowest at 15.83%.Overall, the project established an important geospatial baseline for understanding land degradation dynamics in Mizoram. The district-wise maps, digital wasteland database and change-analysis products provide valuable inputs for land reclamation, watershed development, soil and water conservation, forestry, agricultural planning, shifting-cultivation management and environmental monitoring, while also enabling future temporal assessment of degraded-land recovery or expansion. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS P6 LISS-III (2005 & 2006)Thematic sub-category: Land Resources, WastelandsCollaborating/Funding Agency: National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)Report Publication Month/Year: October, 2009

The “Wetland Inventory and Assessment of Mizoram” was undertaken as the State component of the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (NWIA) Project, formulated by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad and funded by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. For Mizoram, the project was implemented by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC) with technical guidance and support from SAC and NESAC. The principal objective was to prepare a scientifically standardized inventory of wetlands at 1:50,000 scale, generate a seamless GIS database, integrate ancillary spatial layers, and contribute to the National Wetland Atlas.The study utilized IRS-P6 LISS-III satellite imagery from both post-monsoon (December 2006) and pre-monsoon (March 2007) periods, supplemented by Survey of India topographic maps, administrative boundaries, ground-truth observations and other ancillary datasets. Wetlands were delineated through digital classification and on-screen interpretation using ERDAS Imagine, ARC/INFO and ArcGIS. Spectral indices including NDWI, MNDWI, NDVI, NDPI and NDTI were applied to characterize wetland extent, open-water spread, aquatic vegetation and turbidity. The project followed the NWIA classification and database standards to ensure compatibility with the national geospatial framework.The inventory identified 41 wetlands larger than the minimum mapping unit, excluding rivers and streams, together with 148 wetlands smaller than 2.25 ha. Total wetland area was estimated at 13,989.28 ha. Rivers and streams overwhelmingly dominated the wetland resource, accounting for approximately 13,496.19 ha, while lakes and ponds occupied 185.49 ha, waterlogged areas 132.87 ha, and reservoirs/barrages 26.74 ha. Seasonal open-water extent was estimated at 13,835.89 ha during the post-monsoon period and 13,817.61 ha during the pre-monsoon period, indicating relatively limited seasonal variation at State scale. Aquatic vegetation covered about 55.62 ha post-monsoon and 61.29 ha pre-monsoon. Most mapped water bodies exhibited low turbidity, with no areas categorized under the high-turbidity class.District-wise analysis showed that Lunglei contained the largest share of mapped wetland area, about 22.91% of the State total, followed by Mamit and Lawngtlai; Kolasib and Serchhip contained comparatively smaller proportions. Major wetland types included rivers, lakes and ponds, with representative field validation carried out using GPS and standardized ground-truth procedures.Overall, the project established a standardized and spatially explicit baseline of Mizoram’s wetland resources. The resulting maps, seasonal water-spread information, wetland classification layers and GIS database provide an important foundation for wetland conservation, biodiversity assessment, water-resource planning, environmental monitoring and future change detection, while also integrating Mizoram’s wetland information into the broader National Wetland Inventory framework. Summarized MetadataMapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS LISS III (2006 & 2007)Thematic sub-category: Forestry & Environment, Water resourcesCollaborating/Funding Agency: Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India & Space Application Centre, AhmedabadReport Publication Month/Year: October, 2009