JAMMU / NEW DELHI, Aug 10: Jammu and Kashmir is increasingly leveraging satellite technology and remote sensing for disaster preparedness, environmental monitoring and development planning, with space-based applications being used to track landslides, watersheds, water resources, land use and rural development assets across the Union Territory.
The details were provided in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question raised by BJP MP Engineer Gulam Ali Khatana, who sought information on the use of satellite-based applications and space technology in Jammu and Kashmir. In a written reply, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said ISRO-supported space technology had emerged as an important tool for ground-level monitoring, assessment and planning in the UT.
One major application is the Satellite Integrated Landslide Assessment and Alert System (SILAAS), which facilitates identification and mapping of landslide-prone areas and generation of potential hazard alerts. The government stated that landslide inventory mapping was undertaken across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir during the 2023 monsoon season.
Watershed development is another area where geospatial technology is being deployed. Under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), monitoring has covered districts including Rajouri, Poonch, Jammu, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi, Samba, Udhampur and several districts of Kashmir. Space-based monitoring is also being used under WDC-PMKSY 2.0, while Geo-MGNREGA supports mapping and monitoring of rural assets.
Under the Space Based Information Support for Decentralised Planning–Update (SISDP-U) programme, high-resolution satellite data is being used for thematic information covering land use, infrastructure, population and drainage across all districts.
According to the parliamentary reply, Rs 395.85 lakh, or nearly Rs 3.96 crore, has been sanctioned for seven space-technology projects, of which Rs 315.90 lakh has been released and utilised. The largest allocation of Rs 220 lakh was made for Space Based Information Support for Decentralised Planning.
Satellite-based assessments are also being used for monitoring glacial lakes and hazards in the Indus river basin, while the Long Term Ecological Research Stations project is studying climatic and ecological changes in the north-western Himalayas.
The Centre further stated that ISRO is undertaking experimental landslide prediction studies, including in Jammu and Kashmir, combining satellite observations, remote sensing and geospatial information.
The role of space technology is also expanding in education. The Satish Dhawan Centre for Space Science at Central University of Jammu is providing opportunities for research and training in space science and technology. The parliamentary response highlights a broader shift towards technology-driven governance in J&K, with satellite imagery increasingly supporting disaster-risk reduction, environmental assessment, infrastructure planning, watershed management and rural development. For vulnerable mountainous districts such as Rajouri and Poonch, these tools could prove particularly valuable in strengthening preparedness against landslides, flash floods and other weather-related hazards.