Lok Sabha Question No. 2082 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Support for NESAC Projects
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri Yogender Chandolia, Shri Anurag Sharma, Shri Praveen Patel, Shri Tapir Gao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2082 SUPPORT FOR NESAC PROJECTS

## 2082.  SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA:

SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:

SHRI TAPIR GAO:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- whether  any  specific  initiatives  have  been  discussed  during the  12th  meeting  of  the  North  Eastern  Space  Application Centre (NESAC) for the enhancement of space applications in
- (a) the region;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there is any focus on expanding space-based education  and  research  opportunities  for  the  youth  in  the North Eastern States;
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the manner in which the Government plans to ensure adequate funding and support for NESAC's projects?

## (a)& (b)

The  Hon'ble  Union  Home  Minister  and  President  of  NESAC Society, Chief Ministers of  NE  States  and  other  members suggested  many  new  initiatives  for  the  enhancement  of  space applications in the NE region;

- I. While acknowledging that more than 10 departments in each NE State are actively utilizing space applications, it was suggested that at least 25 departments from each of the  state  shall  be  identified  for  utilization  of  space applications in consultation with respective Chief Secretaries.  This  will  be  followed  up  by  the  Ministry  of Home  Affairs  and  M/o  Development  of  North-Eastern Region.
- II. Identify  the  deforested  areas  as  well  as  potential  open areas for afforestation in the NER.
3. III.
4. Initiate flood mapping for entire NER.
- IV. Prepare  a  roadmap  highlighting  the  best  practices  in space applications relevant for NER.
6. V.
7. Carry out mapping of minerals, oil, and coal in the NER.
- VI. Plan  for  organizing  interaction  event  for  Govt  officials,

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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young  generation,  students,  woman  from  all  segments and tribals in consultation with Government of Arunachal

Pradesh.

- VII. Collaborate  with  Manipur  Remote  Sensing  Application Centre  (MARSAC)  towards  development  of  GIS-based cadastral information system for Manipur and augmentation  of  drone  facilities  in  consultation  with NEC.
- VIII. Carry out a comprehensive study on river morphology for Teesta  and  Rangeet  rivers  in  collaboration  with  Sikkim Science & Technology Council.
- IX. Support  hydro  geo-morphology  mapping  for  42  Rural Development (RD) blocks in Tripura and the updation of Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) of 12 urban
4. local bodies in the state.
- X. Provide  technical  guidance  to  Nagaland  GIS  &  Remote Sensing Centre (NGISRSC) for formulating a proposal on setting-up of a Geospatial centre in Kohima and Dimapur.
- XI. Prepare  a  plan  for  LIDAR  survey  for  Digital  Elevation Model (DEM) generation for flood prone areas of Assam, in consultation with MHA.

## (c) & (d)

As per the suggestions made by the Hon'ble Union Home Minister and  President  of  NESAC  Society  during  the  12th  meeting  of NESAC Society, a new programme called 'North East Student's

Program for  Awareness,  Reach  and  Knowledge  on  Space'  (NE-

SPARKS),  has  been  initiated.  Under  this  program,  Ministry  of DoNER will facilitate the visit of 800 young and talented science stream  students  (100  from  each  NE  State)  to  ISRO  with  the support of respective state governments.

NESAC/  DoS,  Shillong  offers  opportunities  for  students  and research  scholars  through  the  Student  Internship  Scheme  and Student  Project  Trainee  Scheme  with  the  duration  of  45  days (internship) and upto 120 days (project trainees). These programs  are  designed  to  give  students  hands-on  experience, allowing them to work under Scientists /Engineers in the relevant areas.  Students  from  various  academic  institutions  can  benefit from these schemes, gaining valuable insights into space research and technology as part of their academic curriculum.

ISRO organises a special programme for School Children called "Young Scientist Programme" "YUva VIgyani KAryakram', YUVIKA,  to  impart  basic  knowledge  on  Space Technology,  Space  Science  and  Space  Applications  to  the younger  students  in  emerging  trends  in  space  science  and technology amongst the youngsters, who are the future building blocks  of  our  nation.  ISRO  has  chalked  out  this  programme  to "Catch  them  young"  selecting  Ten  students  of  class  IX  and  X standards from each State and Union Territory (UT) including NE States. The programme encourages more students to pursue in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based research /career.

- (e)  NESAC receives required funds from the Government of India in the  form  of  grant-in-aid.  In  addition,  the  centre  also  earns financial  resources  by  executing  a  large  number  of  externally funded projects from various user departments under Central/State Governments, PSUs, and a few other nongovernment agencies

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