Lok Sabha Question No. 4537 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Space Projects in Ladakh
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4537

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025

## SPACE PROJECTS IN LADAKH

## 4537.  SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

## Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  is undertaking any projects to improve satellite-based communication and remote sensing in the Union Territory of Ladakh, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Indian Space  Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched  or  plans  to  launch  any  dedicated  satellite-based monitoring  or  disaster  management  systems  for  Himalayan regions including Ladakh, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  intends  to  establish  a  satellite ground  station,  research  centre  or  space  science  education centre  in  Ladakh  in  view  of  its  strategic  and  geographical significance; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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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- (a) ISRO is realising Resourcesat-3 & 3A, Resourcesat-3S & 3SA, HRSAT,  G20  Satellite  and  TRISHNA  Satellite  by  2027-2028,  to improve remote sensing observations in the country, benefiting the Union  Territory  of  Ladakh  also.  Data  from  in-orbit  Indian  Remote Sensing  Satellites  (Cartosat-2  series,  Cartosat-3,  Resourcesat-2  & 2A, RISAT-1A, INSAT-3DR & 3DS, Oceansat-3, SARAL and NISAR) are also available over India, including the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Among the operational communication satellites, 12 satellites have the  coverage  over  the  Union  Territory  of  Ladakh.  This  capacity  is offered  to  various  service  providers  to  meet  and  enhance  the Telecommunication  and  Broadband  connectivity.    In  addition,  10 foreign  satellites  and  3  Low  Earth  Orbit  /Medium  Earth  Orbit Constellations are given authorization to provide services over India including Union Territory of Ladakh.

- (b) As  part  of  the  Natural  Resources  Census  Programme  (NR Census)  of  ISRO/DoS,  periodic  monitoring  of  natural  resources, status  of  land  degradation,  desertification  and  wastelands  are carried out of national level, including Himalaya and Ladakh.

ISRO/DoS  has  carried  out  'Mountain  Ecosystem  Studies  of  Northwest Himalaya' (including Ladakh), for monitoring Himalayan resources, natural hazards and geodynamics.

ISRO/DoS has also undertaken the following remote sensing application projects in the Union Territory of Ladakh:

- i. Ladakh  Specific  Modelling  and  Space  Applications  (LAMA): Scientific investigations of natural resources, environment and climate  change  over  Ladakh  region.  A  customised  dynamic geoportal was developed for assessment and management of natural resources.
- ii. Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Geoportal (Geo-Ladakh) with allied database for development of Union Territory of Ladakh: for bio-resources expansion, agriculture & horticulture management, sites for developing artificial glaciers, conserving water resources, harvesting solar & wind energy, assessing flood hazard etc.
- iii. AMRUT-1.0:  Large  Scale  Urban  Geospatial  Database  created by using Very High-Resolution Satellite Data formulation of GIS based Master Plans for Leh and Kargil towns.
- iv. AMRUT-2.0: Development of Waterbody Information System for Leh and Kargil towns.
- v. LULC  Change  Analysis:  'Assessment  of  Land  Use  and  Land Cover Change Analysis on 1:50,000 scale of 2020-21 and 202526', for Ladakh.

The Disaster Management Support Programme (DMSP) of ISRO/DoS Ministries/ Departments  for  various  natural  hazards  for  effective  disaster management  at  national  level,  including  the  Himalayan  region  of provides satellite data based inputs to the nodal Ladakh. (c) & (d) Yes. Under the scope of NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and  Analysis)  project  an  optical  telescope  is  being  established  at Hanle, Ladakh for tracking objects at GEO.

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