MoU between Assam government and NESAC to use space technology in flood management, food security and environment conservation

NE Space Application Center will provide space technology intervention to the government of Assam in food security, water security, environmental security and disaster management.

Guwahati: Assam science and technology and climate change department and North East Space Application Center (NESAC) inked an MoU on Saturday (January 1) to utilise space technology intervention in solving various problems faced by Assam state. 

The MoU was signed in the presence of chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and NESAC Director P L N Raju. As per the understanding, the space application centre in Shillong will provide space technology intervention to the government of Assam in food security, water security, environmental security and disaster management. NESAC will provide early warnings about floods and natural calamities like forest fire and lightning. Floods are a major problem in Assam, and early warning of floods will immensely help in flood management. 

The space centre will provide information about water resource assessment and management to the government of Assam. Besides, NESAC will provide information on forest preservation and flora, fauna, and biodiversity conservation. On the other hand, it will make available crucial data for agriculture and horticulture sectors, like weather forecasts, predictions, etc. The project has been implemented under the plan of action as suggested by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the chief ministers' meeting held in August 2021 in Shillong. The MoU will enhance the capacity building of government and non-government sectors to use space technology to solve day-to-day problems. Moreover, it will enhance tele education and telemedicine support for reaching the unreached.