Executive Summary:
The Indian government, through the Department of Space (ISRODoS), is undertaking several initiatives to improve satellite-based communication, remote sensing, and disaster management in the Union Territory of Ladakh. These initiatives include launching new satellites by 2027-2028, utilizing data from existing satellites, and establishing an optical telescope at Hanle, Ladakh. The aim is to enhance connectivity, monitor natural resources, and aid in disaster preparedness in the region.
Key Points / Main Content:
Satellite-Based Communication and Remote Sensing:
* ISRO is realizing Resourcesat-3/3A, Resourcesat-3S/3SA, HRSAT, G20 Satellite and TRISHNA Satellite by 2027-2028, which will improve remote sensing observations in Ladakh.
* Data from existing Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (Cartosat-2 series, Cartosat-3, Resourcesat-2/2A, RISAT-1A, INSAT-3DR/3DS, Oceansat-3, SARAL, and NISAR) are available over Ladakh.
* 12 operational communication satellites provide coverage over Ladakh, and this capacity is offered to service providers to enhance telecommunication and broadband connectivity.
* 10 foreign satellites and 3 Low Earth Orbit/Medium Earth Orbit Constellations are authorized to provide services over India, including Ladakh.
Disaster Management and Resource Monitoring:
* ISRODoS is conducting periodic monitoring of natural resources, land degradation, desertification, and wastelands in Ladakh as part of the Natural Resources Census Programme.
* Mountain Ecosystem Studies of North-west Himalaya, including Ladakh, have been carried out for monitoring resources, hazards, and geodynamics.
* Several remote sensing application projects are underway in Ladakh:
* LAMA: Scientific investigations of natural resources, environment, and climate change; development of a geoportal for natural resource assessment and management.
* GeoLadakh: Creation of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) geoportal and database for bioresource expansion, agriculture/horticulture management, artificial glacier site selection, water resource conservation, solar/wind energy harvesting, and flood hazard assessment.
* AMRUT1.0: Creation of a large-scale urban geospatial database using high-resolution satellite data for GIS-based master plans for Leh and Kargil.
* AMRUT2.0: Development of a Waterbody Information System for Leh and Kargil towns.
* LULC Change Analysis: Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Change Analysis on 1:50,000 scale of 2020-21 and 2025-26, for Ladakh.
* The Disaster Management Support Programme (DMSP) provides satellite data inputs for effective disaster management in Ladakh.
Establishment of Facilities:
* An optical telescope is being established at Hanle, Ladakh, under the NETRA project for tracking objects at GEO.
Impact Analysis:
Government of India (ISRODoS):
Impact: Responsible for the execution and oversight of space-related projects aimed at improving communication, remote sensing, resource management, and disaster preparedness in Ladakh.
Action Required: Continue implementing the planned satellite missions, application projects, and infrastructure development.
Service Providers:
Impact: Can leverage the enhanced satellite communication capacity to improve telecommunication and broadband connectivity in Ladakh.
Action Required: Utilize the available satellite coverage to offer enhanced services in the region.
Nodal Ministries/Departments:
Impact: Will receive satellite data-based inputs for managing various natural hazards and for effective disaster management in Ladakh.
Action Required: Integrate the satellite data into their disaster management strategies and resource management plans.
Union Territory of Ladakh Administration and Residents:
Impact: Will benefit from improved communication, better monitoring of natural resources, enhanced disaster preparedness, and sustainable development initiatives.
Action Required: Utilize the developed geoportal and databases for informed decision-making related to resource management and development planning.
Scientific Community:
Impact: Gaining access to new research facilities and data related to the Himalayan region.
Action Required: Utilize the NETRA telescope and other ISRO initiatives to conduct studies and advance knowledge of space objects and Himalayan ecosystems.
Key Entities Referenced
Ladakh: A Union Territory of India, the focus of the space projects mentioned in the document.
Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO: The primary space agency of India, responsible for the space projects discussed.
Resourcesat3 3A, Resourcesat3S 3SA, HRSAT, G20 Satellite and TRISHNA Satellite: A list of remote sensing satellites being developed by ISRO, expected to benefit Ladakh.
Natural Resources Census Programme NR Census: A program of ISRODoS focused on monitoring natural resources, land degradation, and wastelands, including in the Himalayas and Ladakh.
ISRODoS: A combined entity of Indian Space Research Organisation and Department of Space working together
LAMA: Ladakh Specific Modelling and Space Applications: An ISRODoS project involving scientific investigations of natural resources, environment, and climate change in Ladakh, utilizing a customized geoportal.
AMRUT: A project creating Urban Geospatial Database using Very HighResolution Satellite Data formulation of GIS based Master Plans for Leh and Kargil towns.
Hanle, Ladakh: Location in Ladakh where an optical telescope is being established under the NETRA project for tracking objects at GEO.
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 North-
west 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 2025-
26”, for Ladakh.The Disaster Management Support Programme (DMSP) of ISRO/DoS
provides satellite data based inputs to the nodal Ministries/
Departments for various natural hazards for effective disaster
management at national level, including the Himalayan region of
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.
****