Browse Projects

The Natural Resources Mapping of Mizoram using Remote Sensing and GIS is a flagship geospatial resource inventory project undertaken by the Mizoram State Remote Sensing Centre (MSRSC) under the Science, Technology & Environment Wing, Planning Department, Government of Mizoram, with financial support from the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong. Initiated in 2004 as a three-year programme, the project was implemented in a district-wise phased manner to systematically cover the entire state and develop a comprehensive geospatial database of Mizoram's natural resources. It represents one of the earliest large-scale initiatives in the state to integrate satellite Remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies for natural resource assessment and development planning. The primary objective of the project was to create standardized thematic maps and digital spatial databases covering the state's major natural resources, thereby providing reliable scientific information for sustainable planning and management. Using high-resolution Indian Remote Sensing (IRS-1D LISS-III and Panchromatic) satellite imagery, supported by Survey of India topographic maps, field verification, GPS and GIS-based spatial analysis, the project generated a comprehensive inventory of natural resources across Mizoram. Major thematic layers include land use/land cover, geology, geomorphology, soils, drainage, watershed boundaries, groundwater potential, slope, aspect, transport network, and settlements. These thematic datasets were digitized and integrated within a GIS environment to enable spatial analysis and preparation of resource-based action plans. The project covered the entire geographical extent of Mizoram, encompassing its diverse physiographic regions, mountainous terrain, river basins, forests, agricultural landscapes, and rural settlements. By adopting a uniform methodology across all districts, the project established a consistent and scientifically validated geospatial database capable of supporting planning at district, watershed, and state levels. The integrated assessment provides a holistic understanding of the interrelationships between land, water, terrain, and other natural resources, facilitating informed decision-making for sustainable development. One of the most significant outcomes of the project is the creation of statewide natural resources information that serves as a valuable reference for government departments, researchers, planners, academic institutions, and development agencies. The thematic maps and digital databases provide critical baseline information for watershed management, agriculture and horticulture development, forestry, groundwater exploration, infrastructure planning, disaster risk reduction, environmental conservation, and land capability assessment. The project also enables resource monitoring, identification of development potential, and formulation of scientifically based action plans tailored to local conditions. By demonstrating the effective integration of Remote Sensing, GIS, GPS, and field observations, the project established a modern framework for geospatial planning in Mizoram. Even today, the datasets and reports generated under this initiative remain an important repository of baseline information for multidisciplinary research, policy formulation, environmental assessment, and evidence-based planning. As one of the pioneering state-wide geospatial mapping programmes supported by the North Eastern Council, the project has significantly strengthened the application of space technology in natural resource management and continues to provide lasting value for the sustainable development of Mizoram. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D PAN & LISS III (2003 & 2004) – Digital & Photo print Study area: Mizoram Collaborating/Funding Agency: North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong No. of Report(s) published: 8 Project Period: 2004 – 2007

The Vulnerability Analysis of Cyclone in Mizoram State is a key initiative by the State Remote Sensing Centre (SRSC), under the Science, Technology & Environment Wing, Planning Department, Government of Mizoram, Aizawl. Initiated following a Hazard Mapping meeting on April 13, 2004, chaired by Pu K. Riachho, Secretary of Relief & Rehabilitation, the project received funding from the Relief & Rehabilitation Department. The project harnessed SRSC's expertise in remote sensing for rapid execution, completed in December 2004. Advanced geospatial technologies formed the backbone, including visual analysis of IRS LISS-III False Colour Composites (FCC), Survey of India (SOI) topographical maps, and historical cyclone records (1985–2004) from district Deputy Commissioners and Relief & Rehabilitation Directorate. Integrated with 2001 Census data, ArcInfo GIS software enabled classification of 828 villages/towns/wards into vulnerability zones (high, medium, low) based on occurrence, frequency, physiography (ridge/hill-top vs. slope/valley), aspect, and altitude. This produced detailed thematic maps and tables overlaying cyclone-prone locations across Mizoram's eight districts. The primary objective was to assess cyclone vulnerability statewide for enhanced disaster preparedness and mitigation and the first such effort by SRSC. Mizoram, wedged between Bangladesh/Myanmar with NNW-SSE trending ridges (elev. 40–2,157 m, e.g., Phawngpui), young tertiary sediments (Surma/Barail groups), trellis/dendritic drainage (e.g., Tlawng, Chhimtuipui rivers), and humid tropical climate (250–350 cm rainfall), faces cyclone tails from Bay of Bengal (post/pre-monsoon). Impacts include house/powerline damage, road blockages, crop/livestock losses, amplified by predominant Assam-type/timber-thatched structures on exposed ridges. The study underscores urgency for risk mapping in this topographically vulnerable, agriculturally dependent region with 888,573 population (2001). Generated reports/maps for village/ward/district-wise vulnerability (location/aspect/altitude analyses), cyclone history overlays are transformative for city/town planning. They guide resilient zoning (avoiding saddles/ridge-tops >501 m), building codes (wind-resistant designs: sloping roofs, anchors, braces), site selection (leeward/shielded), and infrastructure (reinforced walls, windbreaks). Planners can prioritize retrofitting (e.g., J-bolts, bands), integrate into District Disaster Management Plans, and foster mitigation (e.g., tree belts). This database empowers disaster management authorities to minimize losses, enhance recovery, and build cyclone-resilient settlements amid frequent moderate storms. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS LISS III (2003) Study area: Mizoram Collaborating/Funding Agency: Relief & Rehabilitation Department, Govt. of Mizoram No. of Report(s) published: 1 Project Period: 2004

The Urban Sprawl Study of Aizawl City represents a pivotal collaboration between the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Department of Space, Government of India, Umiam, Meghalaya, and the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MSRSC), Aizawl, Mizoram. Completed in October 2004 under the supervision of NESAC Director Shri K.C. Bhattacharyya, the project leveraged expertise from principal investigators like Shri ASRKV Murali Mohan (NESAC) and Dr. R.K. Lallianthanga (MIRSAC), alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists specializing in remote sensing and GIS applications. The core technology employed integrated multi-temporal satellite remote sensing data including Landsat MSS, IRS-1C LISS-III/PAN merged products, and Resourcesat-1 LISS-III with advanced GIS tools for spatial analysis. Data were geometrically registered to 1:25,000 scale Survey of India topographical sheets, processed via visual/digital interpretation techniques, and enhanced with ground truth verification. This enabled precise thematic mapping of land use/land cover, slope (from DEM), transport networks, and surface water bodies, culminating in a comprehensive GIS database linking spatial layers with non-spatial socio-economic attributes from census records and household surveys. The main objective was to monitor Aizawl's urban expansion patterns, evaluate compliance with the 2002 Aizawl Master Plan, and delineate site suitability zones for future growth. Nestled in northern Mizoram's rugged terrain, Aizawl – the capital of Mizoram, faces acute topographic challenges like steep north-south aligned ridges, deep valleys, erosional landforms, acidic loamy soils, and moderate climate (208 cm annual rainfall). Rapid, unplanned sprawl along highways risks exacerbating congestion, water scarcity, erosion, and infrastructure deficits, making this study critically important for sustainable urban management in a hill-station context. The generated outputs such as urban sprawl maps, land use classifications, suitability zonations (prioritizing low-slope, road-proximate wastelands), and integrated databases are invaluable for city and town planning. Planners can use these to decongest the core, direct fringe development, enforce vertical limits, harness springs, and mitigate environmental risks. Aligned partially with the Master Plan, the data supports evidence-based zoning, infrastructure prioritization (e.g., roads, drainage), and policy formulation, fostering controlled growth that balances population pressures with ecological stability. This geospatial framework empowers local authorities, TCP departments, and policymakers to optimize land resources, enhance access to amenities, and promote resilient urbanism amid Aizawl's fragile geology. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:25,000 Satellite data & Year: Landsat MSS (1981), IRS-1C (1998-2022), Resourcesat-1 (2003) Study area: Aizawl city (Urban). Collaborating/Funding Agency: North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Umiam No. of Report(s) published: 1 Project Period: 2003 – 2004

The Road Network Mapping of Mizoram using Remote Sensing and GIS was an in-house geospatial mapping project undertaken by the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre (MSRSC) under the Science, Technology & Environment Wing, Planning Department, Government of Mizoram. Executed during 2003 and subsequently compiled into a comprehensive report, the project was initiated in recognition of the importance of an accurate and systematic inventory of the existing road infrastructure for transportation planning, infrastructure development, and the overall socio-economic growth of Mizoram. The study was undertaken at a time when reliable, spatially referenced information on the state's road network was essential for planning the improvement, expansion, and construction of roads across its challenging mountainous terrain. The principal objective of the project was to map and classify the existing road network of Mizoram, convert the mapped information into a digital GIS database, and make the resulting spatial information readily available to user departments. The project covered the entire geographical area of Mizoram, encompassing all eight districts—Kolasib, Mamit, Aizawl, Champhai, Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai, and Saiha. The state's rugged topography, narrow ridges, steep slopes, deeply dissected valleys, and international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar make transportation infrastructure a particularly important component of regional development and connectivity planning. The project employed IRS-1D LISS-III and Panchromatic satellite imagery acquired in 2003, procured from the NRSA Data Centre, Hyderabad, as the primary source for identifying and mapping the road network. Satellite-derived information was supplemented by Survey of India topographic sheets, Census data, administrative and other collateral information, as well as ground verification and field observations undertaken to assess the accuracy of mapped road features. Standard Remote Sensing and GIS techniques were applied to interpret satellite imagery, delineate and classify road categories, digitize the mapped features, and integrate them into a spatial database. This approach provided a systematic and consistent means of generating road network information for the state, complementing conventional ground-based mapping methods. The project involved and provided information relevant to several agencies responsible for transportation and developmental infrastructure in Mizoram. These included the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for major strategic roads and National Highway infrastructure, the Public Works Department (PWD) for State Highways and district roads, and departments and agencies such as Rural Development, DRDA, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forest, which are also involved in the development of minor roads and link roads. By providing a common spatial representation of the existing road network, the project helps establish a shared baseline for inter-departmental planning and coordination. The resulting road network maps and GIS database provide valuable baseline information for road improvement, expansion, connectivity assessment, infrastructure planning, and identification of areas requiring better transportation access. The datasets can also support planning in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, rural development, emergency response, and other sectors where accessibility and transportation connectivity are critical. Overall, the project demonstrated the practical application of satellite remote sensing and GIS for infrastructure inventory and planning and established an important geospatial reference for understanding Mizoram's transportation network and supporting future road development initiatives. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D LISS III & PAN (2003) Study area: Mizoram Collaborating/Funding Agency: Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre No. of Report(s) published: 1 Project Period: 2003 – 2006

The “Wastelands of Mizoram” project was undertaken as part of a nationwide initiative of the Department of Space, Government of India, coordinated through the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad, to develop an updated and scientifically reliable inventory of wastelands across the country. In Mizoram, the project was implemented by the Mizoram State Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC) in close collaboration with NRSA, utilizing standardized methodologies and geospatial technologies to map, classify, and assess wastelands across all eight districts of the state. The primary objective of the project was to generate a comprehensive spatial database of wastelands and degraded land resources using satellite remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The study aimed to identify the extent, distribution, and characteristics of wasteland categories prevalent in Mizoram’s unique mountainous environment and to provide a scientific basis for land reclamation, restoration planning, and sustainable resource management. The project recognized the growing need for reliable geospatial information to support informed decision-making in a state where land-use dynamics are strongly influenced by shifting cultivation, forest resource utilization, and challenging terrain conditions. The project employed satellite imagery acquired from Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites, supported by image interpretation, cartographic analysis, GIS integration, and field verification. These technologies enabled the systematic mapping of degraded lands at a uniform scale and facilitated the creation of district-wise and state-level spatial databases. The study covered the entire geographical extent of Mizoram, encompassing diverse physiographic regions ranging from densely forested hill ranges and river valleys to areas affected by land degradation arising from human and natural processes. A key outcome of the project is the generation of a standardized geospatial repository on wastelands that serves as an important reference for planners, policymakers, researchers, and development agencies. The thematic maps, spatial datasets, and accompanying reports provide valuable baseline information for identifying priority areas requiring intervention and for formulating land management strategies suited to local environmental conditions. The project also contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between land-use practices and landscape degradation, thereby supporting long-term planning for ecological restoration and sustainable development. The information generated through this project has significant practical value for a wide range of sectors, including forestry, agriculture, horticulture, watershed development, rural development, and environmental conservation. By providing accurate and spatially referenced information on degraded lands, the project supports the design of targeted reclamation programmes, afforestation initiatives, agroforestry interventions, and watershed management activities. As one of the earliest state-wide geospatial assessments of land degradation in Mizoram, the “Wastelands of Mizoram” project remains an important resource for evidence-based planning and sustainable management of the state’s land resources. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D LISS III (2003) Study area: Mizoram Collaborating/Funding Agency: National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad No. of Report(s) published: 8 Project Period: 2003 - 2004