Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD) – Part of Lunglei District, Mizoram

The report “Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD) – Part of Lunglei District” presents a comprehensive geospatial evaluation of natural resources and land-use conditions within western areas of Lunglei District, Mizoram, undertaken to support integrated planning and sustainable development using satellite remote sensing and GIS-based spatial analysis. The study area covers part of Lunglei, Lungsen, Bunghmun Rural development blocks. The study forms part of the nationwide IMSD programme initiated by the Department of Space, Government of India, which aims to integrate thematic information derived from remote sensing with field-level surveys and socio-economic data in order to generate location-specific development strategies. In Mizoram, the project was implemented by the Mizoram State Remote Sensing Application Centre (MIRSAC) with technical support from ISRO and the National Remote Sensing Centre, following standardized methodologies developed for the IMSD programme. 

The primary objective of the study was to create a spatial database of natural resources and environmental conditions in the study area and to use this information to develop practical action plans for resource conservation and sustainable land use. To achieve this objective, satellite imagery interpretation was combined with GIS-based spatial modelling and field verification surveys to generate a series of thematic layers representing key environmental parameters. These included land use and land cover, slope categories, soil characteristics, hydrogeomorphology, drainage systems, groundwater potential zones, transport networks, and settlement patterns. These datasets were subsequently integrated with socio-economic and meteorological information to evaluate land capability and identify priority areas for developmental interventions. 

Analysis of land use and land cover patterns indicates that a substantial proportion of the study area is occupied by forest vegetation and secondary growth associated with shifting cultivation practices, which remain the dominant agricultural system in the district. The study also identifies areas of degraded forest and abandoned jhum fallows resulting from repeated cultivation cycles and reduced fallow periods. Agricultural lands represent a relatively small share of the total area and are largely concentrated along valley bottoms and moderately sloping terrain where soil depth and moisture availability are more favourable for crop cultivation.

The slope analysis highlights that a significant portion of the terrain falls within moderate to steep slope categories, reflecting the rugged physiography typical of Mizoram’s hill ranges. Such terrain conditions increase the susceptibility of the landscape to soil erosion, particularly in areas where vegetation cover has been disturbed due to agricultural activities or shifting cultivation practices. Hydrogeomorphological analysis further indicates that groundwater potential within much of the watershed is generally moderate to low because of the steep topography and rapid runoff characteristics of the region. However, valley fills, fractured rock zones, and localized structural depressions were identified as potential zones for groundwater recharge and small-scale water resource development. 

Based on the integrated analysis of these thematic layers, the study delineated priority zones for resource conservation and development. The resulting action plans propose a range of interventions including afforestation and regeneration of degraded forest lands, promotion of horticulture and agroforestry on suitable slopes, soil and water conservation measures such as contour bunding and vegetative barriers, development of fodder resources for livestock, and the construction of water harvesting and small irrigation structures to improve water availability in agricultural areas. These recommendations were prioritized based on land capability, slope stability, soil conditions, and proximity to existing settlements to ensure effective implementation and socio-economic benefits for local communities.

Overall, the IMSD study for Lunglei District demonstrates the practical value of integrating satellite remote sensing, GIS technology, and field surveys in developing scientifically informed strategies for watershed-based development in mountainous regions. The project provides a comprehensive spatial database and planning framework that can guide sustainable land, water, and forest resource management while supporting rural development initiatives across the district.

Summarized Metadata

Mapping Scale: 1:50,000

Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D, 1994-1995

Thematic categories: Multi-thematic 

Collaborating/Funding Agency: NRSC Hyderabad, RRSC Kharagpur & Department of Space

Report Publication Month/Year: January, 1998