**Executive Summary**
This report details the written reply provided by the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology on March 23, 2026, regarding the integration of space technology in Jammu & Kashmir. The document outlines ISRO’s efforts in disaster monitoring, evidence-driven regional planning, and the establishment of specialized research centers. Key focus areas include the deployment of geospatial tools for emergency management and the expansion of academic opportunities in space science for the Northern region.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Disaster Monitoring and Emergency Management**
* Space-based inputs are utilized for monitoring and damage assessment of floods, landslides, and forest fires.
* Data is disseminated through ISRO geoportals, including Bhuvan and the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM).
* A customized mobile application and dashboard have been developed specifically for the J&K forest department to visualize and report forest fires.
* The NDEM, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), integrates satellite data with alerts from agencies like IMD, CWC, and DGRE for early warnings and post-disaster assessments.
**Resource Mapping and Decentralized Planning**
* ISRO collaborates with the J&K Remote Sensing Application Centre (JKRSAC) on several UT-level programs, including the Natural Resources Census and National Wetland Inventory.
* Mapping efforts cover biodiversity characterization, desertification, and land degradation.
* The "Space-Based Information Support for Decentralized Planning–Update" (SIS-DP Update) supports evidence-driven planning in agriculture, forestry, rural development, and watershed management.
**Academic and Research Initiatives**
* The Satish Dhawan Centre for Space Science (SDCSS) was established at the Central University of Jammu to provide faculty and students access to ISRO facilities.
* Regional centers, including the Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC) at NIT Jalandhar and the Regional Academic Centre for Space (RACS) at NIT Kurukshetra, offer students opportunities to work directly on ISRO projects.
* The RESPOND (Sponsored Research) programme enables any academic institution in India to submit research proposals for space technology projects.
**Impact Analysis**
**J&K Forest Department**
* **Impact:** Gains enhanced monitoring capabilities through a specialized dashboard and mobile app for real-time forest fire reporting.
* **Action Required:** Utilize provided geospatial tools for active forest management and fire visualization.
**Educational Institutions and Students (Northern Region)**
* **Impact:** Students and faculty receive increased access to ISRO’s technical facilities and research funding through regional centers like SDCSS, STIC, and RACS.
* **Action Required:** Academic institutions should submit project proposals and encourage student participation in ISRO-led space technology projects.
**Disaster Management and Emergency Response Agencies**
* **Impact:** Benefit from an integrated decision-support system (NDEM) that combines satellite data with multi-agency alerts for better coordination and Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA).
* **Action Required:** Coordinate through the Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR-ER) to utilize early warning inputs and disaster resource network data.
**UT Planning and Development Sectors (Agriculture, Rural Development, Forestry)**
* **Impact:** Access to precise geospatial data and mapping (SIS-DP Update) allows for more accurate, evidence-driven sectoral planning.
* **Action Required:** Incorporate space-based resource mapping and land degradation data into regional development strategies and watershed management.
Key Entities Referenced
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation): The primary agency providing space-based inputs for disaster monitoring and establishing specialized research and incubation centers in the region.
Jammu & Kashmir: The Union Territory that serves as the central location for the application of space technology in disaster management and developmental planning.
National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM): A key digital initiative used for disseminating geospatial products, providing disaster early warnings, and coordinating emergency responses.
J&K Remote Sensing Application Centre (JKRSAC): The UT-level agency that collaborates with ISRO for the implementation of natural resource mapping and disaster management support programs.
Space-Based Information Support for Decentralized Planning–Update (SIS-DP Update): A collaborative initiative used to provide evidence-driven planning data for sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and rural development.
Department of Space
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: USE OF SPACE
TECHNOLOGY IN J&K
Posted On: 23 MAR 2026 3:26PM by PIB Delhi
Space inputs are being used for disaster monitoring & damage assessment in Jammu & Kashmir for major
natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and forest fire. The geospatial products such as flood
inundation maps, landslide inventory, forest fire detection etc. are disseminated through ISRO’s
Geoportals such as Bhuvan and the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM). ISRO has
also developed a customized mobile application and dashboard for visualization for forest fire reporting
using geospatial technology for Jammu & Kashmir forest department.
ISRO/DoS collaborates with J&K Remote Sensing Application Centre (JKRSAC) for UT-level
implementation of space application programmes such as the Natural Resources Census, National Wetland
Inventory, Biodiversity Characterization, Desertification & Land Degradation mapping and Disaster
management support. Space-Based Information Support for Decentralized Planning–Update (SIS-DP
Update) was also jointly executed, to aid evidence-driven planning across sectors such as agriculture,
forestry, rural development, and watershed management.
ISRO has established Satish Dhawan Centre for Space Science (SDCSS) at Central University of Jammu,
where faculty/research students are provided access to ISRO facilities to support learning and enhance
understanding on space technology.
ISRO also established Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC) at NIT Jalandhar and Regional
Academic Centre for Space (RACS) at NIT Kurukshetra, for the Northern region of the country which
includes Jammu & Kashmir. STIC & RACS programmes provides opportunities to students to work on
space technology related projects. Regional colleges and other institutions within the Northern region can
submit project proposals through these programmes. This arrangement enables students from both the host
institutions and other colleges in the region to actively participate in and work directly on ISRO projects.
Additionally, to extend space research opportunities among institutions all over the country, ISRO
operates the RESPOND (Sponsored Research) programme, which allows any academic institution in
India, regardless of its location, to submit project proposals and participate in space technology-related
projects.
ISRO supports use of space inputs and geospatial tools for disaster early warning and coordination
through the implementation of National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM) under the
Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR-ER) of MHA. NDEM integrates early warning
inputs from satellite data with alerts issued by operational agencies such as IMD, CWC and DGRE.
NDEM also has decision support tools for emergency response, Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA),
and also hosts India Disaster Resource Network data for effective disaster response and coordination.
This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology
and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.****
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