Village level passion fruit site suitability maps of Champhai and Kolasib horticultural circles, Mizoram state
The “Village Level Passion Fruit Site Suitability Maps of Champhai and Kolasib Horticultural Circles, Mizoram State” project is a collaborative effort under the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in North Eastern States, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It brings together the Space Applications Centre (ISRO), Mizoram State Remote Sensing Centre, and the Mizoram State Department of Horticulture, combining national remote sensing expertise with state-level GIS capabilities and field-based horticultural knowledge. The project’s core objective is to translate earlier passion fruit suitability analysis into operational village-level maps that clearly show where purple and yellow passion fruit orchards can be expanded within existing jhum (shifting cultivation) areas in Champhai and Kolasib circles. Building on prior work that identified suitable jhum patches using a passion fruit site suitability index, this report prepares detailed village maps and categorizes sites into Priority I and Priority II to guide phased orchard expansion under the Technology Mission. Technologically, the study relies on Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite data, mainly IRS-1D LISS-III multispectral imagery, combined with digital elevation models and GIS-based spatial analysis. Village and settlement boundaries, road networks, drainage and soil maps are integrated with remote-sensing-derived current jhum layers to generate fine-scale suitability maps. The passion fruit suitability index uses key terrain parameters (elevation, slope, aspect) and agronomic requirements, while ancillary factors such as cluster size and proximity to roads, settlements and water sources are used for prioritization. The study area - Champhai and Kolasib horticultural circles within Mizoram’s hilly, high-rainfall landscape is of high strategic importance for horticulture-based livelihood diversification. Champhai already supports extensive purple passion fruit orchards and is envisaged as a major passion fruit belt, whereas Kolasib’s lower elevation and gentle slopes make it promising for yellow passion fruit, whose fruiting season complements the purple variety and supports year-round supply. The outputs including village-level maps for each settlement showing Priority I and II sites, backed by tabulated village statistics, provide practical tools not only for horticulture planning but also for broader city and town planning. Planners can use these geospatial products to- align road improvements and market infrastructure with high-potential orchard clusters; integrate horticulture zones into land-use plans; support jhum-to-orchard transition in peri-urban and rural belts; and identify areas where water supply, processing units or storage facilities will have maximum impact. By linking remotely sensed data with village boundaries and accessibility networks, the project delivers an actionable spatial decision support base that helps Mizoram move toward economically viable, ecologically sustainable, and spatially coherent horticulture and urban–rural development. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS LISS III & WIFS (2002) Study area: Champhai & Kolasib Horticulture Circles Collaborating/Funding Agency: Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India; Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad; Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Mizoram No. of Reports published: 1 Project Period: 2002 – 2003
Identification and prioritization of suitable sites for passion fruit using Remote Sensing and GIS technique in Aizawl district, Mizoram state
The Identification and Prioritization of Suitable Sites for Passion Fruit using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques in Aizawl District, Mizoram State was a pilot project under the Technology Mission on the Integrated Development of Horticulture in North Eastern States (including Sikkim), funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, and completed in March 2003. It involved key collaboration among Space Applications Centre (SAC)-ISRO, Ahmedabad; Mizoram State Remote Sensing Centre (MSRSC), Aizawl; and Mizoram State Department of Horticulture, Aizawl, pooling expertise in agro-ecology, geospatial analysis, and local horticulture extension. The project harnessed IRS LISS-III (23 m) and IRS WIFS (188 m) satellite data, processed via digital classification/visual interpretation. Ancillary inputs included SOI topographical sheets, village/road/drainage/soil maps, Census data, and ground truth. GIS (ArcInfo) integrated terrain parameters such as elevation, slope, aspect were used for enabling jhum delineation, crop suitability indexing, prioritization, and village-level mapping/statistics. The main objective was to map current jhum (shifting cultivation) areas and prioritize sites within them for passion fruit expansion, transitioning unsustainable slash-and-burn practices to viable horticulture amid jhum's dominance (~6–8% annual area in pilot circles). Aizawl district exemplifies NER's horticulture potential (e.g., mandarin orange/passion fruit/banana dominant), yet faces jhum degradation, low settled cultivation (24.4% culturable), and export needs. The study targets the passionfruit production boost in the horticulture circles, promoting year-round fruiting complementarity for processing/juice markets. The project outputs include village atlases, suitability maps, terrain databases, statistics which offer transformative geospatial intelligence for city/town planning. They guide land-use zoning in jhum hotspots, incentivize farmer transitions, integrate with Technology Mission schemes (orchard expansion/afforestation), and optimize infrastructure (roads/water to clusters). Planners can leverage for sustainable diversification, reducing erosion/soil loss, boosting rural incomes, ensuring nutritional security, and aligning with eco-friendly settled systems in the fragile hills. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS LISS III & WIFS (2002) Study area: Aizawl district Collaborating/Funding Agency: Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India No. of Reports published: 1 Project Period: 2002 – 2003
Environmental Studies of Aizawl City
The project "Environmental Studies of Aizawl City Using Remote Sensing and GIS", undertaken by the Mizoram State Remote Sensing Centre (MSRSC), was designed to develop a comprehensive geospatial database for assessing the environmental status of Aizawl city and to provide scientific inputs for sustainable urban planning. Rapid population growth, unplanned expansion, and increasing developmental activities on the city's fragile hill slopes have intensified environmental problems, including landslides, soil erosion, water scarcity, degradation of natural vegetation, and inadequate urban infrastructure. The study demonstrates the application of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies as effective tools for integrated environmental assessment and decision support. The study covers the entire Aizawl Municipal Area (approximately 12,900 ha) situated between 23°39'–23°50' N latitude and 92°39'–92°47' E longitude. Multi-source satellite imagery, Survey of India topographic maps, geological and meteorological data, field investigations, GPS observations, and laboratory analyses were integrated within a GIS environment to generate a series of thematic layers. These include land use/land cover, geology, geomorphology, soils, drainage, water resources, terrain characteristics (slope, aspect and elevation), infrastructure, and landslide hazard zonation. The investigation revealed that urban development has largely occurred along narrow ridge tops and steep hill slopes, many exceeding 35–45% slope, significantly increasing the city's vulnerability to slope failures. Geological analysis showed that the folded sedimentary formations of the Surma Group, together with intense monsoonal rainfall exceeding 2,000 mm annually, constitute the primary natural factors responsible for frequent landslides and severe soil erosion. Updated land use mapping indicated rapid expansion of built-up areas at the expense of forests and open spaces, reflecting the city's continued urban sprawl. Water resource assessment identified increasing pressure on both surface and groundwater supplies due to rising population and urban demand, while soil investigations highlighted the prevalence of acidic, erosion-prone soils whose productivity declines rapidly following vegetation removal. An important outcome of the project was the preparation of a GIS-based land capability and water resources plan, landslide hazard zonation, drainage, slope, soil and land use information to identify areas of varying instability which could aid in natural resource based and scientific development of the city. The study also established a comprehensive environmental database that supports resource inventory, hazard assessment and long-term urban monitoring. Based on the findings, the project recommends scientific land-use zoning, regulation of construction on unstable slopes, watershed conservation, afforestation, improved drainage and solid waste management, protection of water sources, and continuous environmental monitoring using GIS. Overall, the study demonstrates that the integration of Remote Sensing and GIS provides a robust scientific framework for urban environmental management, enabling planners and policymakers to balance future urban growth with environmental conservation and disaster risk reduction in Aizawl city. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:12,500 Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D PAN (February 2001) & LISS III (May 2002) Study area: Aizawl City Collaborating/Funding Agency: Science, Technology & Environment Wing, Planning Department, Government of Mizoram No. of Report(s) published: 1 Project Period: 2001 - 2005
National Natural Resources Information System (NRIS)
The National (Natural) Resources Information System (NRIS) for Mizoram was established as a strategic geospatial information initiative under the National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) of the Department of Space (DoS), Government of India, with implementation carried out by the Mizoram State Remote Sensing Centre (MSRSC) in collaboration with the State Planning Department and other resource management agencies. Initiated during 1996, it was conceived as part of India's national effort to integrate Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), and spatial databases into the planning process, the project aimed to create a standardized and interoperable digital information system that supports evidence-based decision-making for sustainable natural resource management and regional development across Mizoram. The principal objective of the project was to develop an integrated Natural Resources Information System (NRIS) capable of storing, managing, analysing, and disseminating geospatial information on the state's natural resources within a unified GIS framework. Building upon the extensive resource (Eg: IMSD), the project consolidated diverse thematic datasets into a structured spatial database that could be readily accessed and utilized by planners, administrators, researchers, and technical users. The system was designed not merely as a repository of maps, but as a comprehensive Decision Support System (DSS) that enables users to visualize, query, analyse, and integrate spatial information for planning and resource management. The project encompasses the entire state of Mizoram, covering its varied physiographic regions, forests, agricultural landscapes, watersheds, river systems, and human settlements. Using satellite remote sensing, GIS, GPS-assisted field surveys, digital cartography, database management systems, and network-based information architecture, the project integrated thematic information on land use and land cover, forests, soils, geology, geomorphology, drainage, watersheds, groundwater potential, transportation, settlements, administrative boundaries, and other natural resource domains into a standardized geospatial database. The adoption of common data standards, digital map specifications, metadata protocols, and GIS-based analytical tools ensured compatibility between datasets while facilitating seamless information sharing across different government departments and planning agencies. One of the distinguishing features of NRIS is its emphasis on integrated spatial decision support rather than conventional map production. The system enables users to perform spatial queries, overlay analysis, resource evaluation, thematic visualization, and customized modelling to address a wide range of planning requirements. By linking geospatial information with administrative and developmental databases, NRIS supports applications in land-use planning, watershed management, agriculture and horticulture development, forestry, groundwater exploration, infrastructure planning, disaster management, environmental conservation, urban planning, and rural development. The standardized spatial framework also facilitates inter-departmental coordination, minimizes duplication of mapping efforts, and promotes the use of a common geospatial reference for planning activities. As one of the pioneering geospatial information infrastructures developed for Mizoram, the project has significantly strengthened the adoption of GIS-based planning within the State. The digital databases, thematic maps, and analytical capabilities generated under NRIS continue to serve as valuable baseline resources for government departments, academic institutions, researchers, consultants, and development agencies. By transforming large volumes of spatial data into an accessible and user-oriented information system, NRIS has laid the foundation for informed decision-making, multidisciplinary research, and sustainable natural resource management. The project remains an important milestone in the evolution of geospatial technologies in Mizoram and continues to support evidence-based governance through the effective integration of space technology with developmental planning. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:50,000 (District level); 1:250,000 (State/Regional level) Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D LISS III (1999) & available reference data from previous projects Study area: Mizoram Collaborating/Funding Agency: Department of Space, Government of India No. of Report(s) published: 1 Project Period: 1998 – 2005
Wasteland Mapping of Mizoram
The Wasteland Mapping Project (Phase V) is a nationwide remote sensing initiative undertaken during 1997–1999 under the aegis of the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Department of Space, Hyderabad, in response to the requirements of the Department of Wasteland Development, Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment, Government of India. The project was conceptualized to generate a systematic and spatially consistent inventory of wastelands across the country to support planning for land reclamation and sustainable resource management. In Mizoram, the responsibility for execution was entrusted to the Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Centre, then functioning under the Science, Technology & Environment Cell, in close coordination with NRSA. The primary objective of the project was to identify, map, and quantify the spatial distribution of wastelands across the three major districts of Mizoram - Aizawl, Lunglei, and Chhimtuipui using satellite remote sensing techniques. The study employed visual interpretation of satellite imagery acquired from the Indian Remote Sensing satellite IRS-1B, utilizing the LISS-II sensor, and mapping was carried out at a scale of 1:50,000. This approach enabled the delineation of wasteland categories within the complex and heterogeneous landscape of Mizoram’s hilly terrain. The analysis identified two major categories of wastelands prevalent in the region: areas under shifting cultivation, including both current and abandoned jhum lands, and degraded notified forest lands. These categories reflect the dominant land-use practices and the associated environmental pressures, particularly the effects of shortened jhum cycles and forest degradation. The project generated district-wise spatial datasets and area statistics, providing a clear representation of the extent and distribution of wastelands. Beyond mapping, the project placed strong emphasis on the productive utilization and rehabilitation of these degraded lands. Based on land capability and ecological suitability, a range of reclamation and management strategies were proposed. These include silvipasture development, sericulture, silviculture, horticulture, agro-horticulture, and improved agricultural practices, each tailored to specific wasteland conditions. The outputs of this project comprising thematic maps, statistical data, and management recommendations serve as a foundational geospatial database for planners and policymakers. The study provides critical baseline information to support scientifically informed decision-making, enabling the formulation of targeted programmes for wasteland development, ecological restoration, and enhancement of land productivity in Mizoram. Summarize Metadata Mapping Scale: 1:50,000 Satellite data & Year: IRS 1B (1995) Study area: Aizawl, Lunglei & Chhimtuipui districts. Collaborating/Funding Agency: National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad No. of Reports published: 3 Project Period: 1997 - 1999