GISdevelopment.net ---> AARS ---> ACRS 1980 ---> National Report Remote Sensing Activities in Bangladesh M. A. H. Pramanik Director, Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (Sparrso) Abstract This national report describes briefly various remote sensing activities in Bangladesh. Landsat imageries, aerial photographs and ground observations have been used for land accretion studies, Landuse mapping, forest inventory, surface water distribution, river course monitoring, winter crop identification, general cartography etc. Real-time meteorlogical satellite data have been used for cyclone prediction, storm surge estimation, agro-climatic research etc. These information have been used by the user agencies for planning as well as operational purposes. Training in Remote Sensing to the participants of various user agencies has also been imparted. Possible regional programmes in the field of Remote Sensing have been mentioned in this report. The future projected activitgies of Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) is also described briefly. Introduction Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation-SPARRSO, (Formerly Bangladesh Landsat Programme) is responsible for research, development and operational activities in space science and remote sensing technology in Bangladesh. This multi-sectoral programme involves several government departments and agencies. A National Space Research and Remote sensing committee decides the policy matter of the programme and also does the inter ministrial co-ordination. This committee is headed by a member of the planning commission. Its members are the Secretaries of the concerned ministries, a representative of the University Grants Commission (UGS) and the Principal Investigator of the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO). One of the Directors of SPARRSO is the Member-Secretary of this National committee For execution and operation of the programme there are full time staff and investigators appointed under SPARRSO budget. There is also a Task Force consisting of Investigators from the participating agencies for the planning and execution of the programmed activities. Members fo the Task Force and part time workers officially seconded by their respective ministries/agencies. The Principal Investigator (Director-General) is the Chairman of the Task Force and one full time chief Investigator (Director) is the Secretary of the Task Force. The Programme is un der the administrative control of the Science and Technology Division of the Cabinet Secretariat, Which is headed by the President of Banglades. Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO) at present has ten sectors, namely (1) Agriculture (2) Forestry (3) Water Resources (4) Cartography (5) Oceanography (6) Fisheries (7) Geology (8) Statistics (9) Instrumentation and (10) Meteorology. These sectors are represented by the Investigators (normally three ) from the agencies such as (1) Agriculture Department (2) Forest Department (3) Water Development Board, (4) Survey of Bangladesh, (5) Inland Water & Transport Authority (6) Fisheries Department (7) Geological Survey of Bangladesh (8) Bureau Statistics (9) Space & Atmospheric Research Centre (SARC) of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and (10 Meteorological Department. Facilities Available SPARRSO has developed core manpower, visual interpretation & reroduction feacilities and limited machine processing capability. Various facilities established are: Interim Meteorological Satellite Ground Station for reception of low resolution cloud pictures from US TIROS-N, NOAA-6, Japaness GMS and Russian METEOR satellites. Cartographic equipment like planvariograph, Zoom Transferscope, clor additive viwer, light tables, Density Slicer, Polar Plannimeter, Stereoscope etc. Reproduction equipment for both black & white and colour pictures, including Diazo clour composites. Research and Training Facilities. These facilities have been developed with resources from the Government of Bangladesh and external assistance from UNDP, USAID, IBRD, IDRC, Australian Govt. etc. Activities Activities of Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO) may be broadly classified in two categories: Resource Survey Hazard Monitoring A brief mention of some of the important activities are given below: Land Accretion studies in Bangladesh coast. Temporal change detection of Karnafuli resorver’s water budget and siltation thairin. Desertification phenomena studies in North Bengal. Afforestation project assessment studies and Area estimation of Forest resources in the country. Cropping pattern and Landuse studies. Boro crop estimation. Geologic feature evaluation. Indentification of surface water distribution and river course monitoring. Salinity intrusion studies. Marine and inland fish resources survey. Development potentiality rating maps of Northern distrlcts of Bangladesh. Preparation of Physiographic map of Bangladesh using eig enhanced categorized Landsat data. Optimization of benefits from “Haors” (Depressed areas) of sylhet and Mymensingh districts. Sedimentation pattern and land formation studies in Feni and Little Feni river estuaries. Up-dating of maps etc. Preparation of Land Use Association Map of Bangladesh and distribution to the concerned ministries and agencies. Preparation of Land Use and Land Categorisation Map of St. Martin Island Determination of Geographical Centre of Bangladesh. Investigation of Total Solar Eclipse of 16th Feb, 1980. Utilization of Metsat Data for cyclone model studies maximum studies maximum sustained wind & storm surges estimation, and other agroclimatic research. Development of laboratory facilities for visual interpretation of Landsat data and reprouction of both black & white and clour photographs. Development of computer processing facilities using reformatted CCT of FROS data center at the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Computer (IBM 360/30) in collboration with ERIM. Build up of core manpower by imparting in country and overseas training. Organisation of training course for postgraduate studies in forestry and geography and short training course for urban planning and Landsat investigators. The information gathered through utilization of satellite data (Devayed mode Landsat and real-time Metsat) aerial photographs and ground observation have been used in the compilation of reports/Maps/Papers articles etc. These information with recommendations were disseminated to the concerned ministries/agencies for their applications in planning and implementation of various development projects. Training in Remote Sensing: Bangladesh is providing training to its scientific and technical personnel in various fields of Remote Sensing with support from UNDP, FAO, IDRC, USAID and IBRD. Trainings were always project-oriented. Training in digital and visual Landsat data analysis and interpretation, photo-interpreatation, photo-processing in fields of geology, hydrology, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, meteorology, instrumentation, cartography and statistics sectors have been undertaken in North America, Europe, Japan and Bangladesh. In-Country training of the participants from the user agencies were also imparted. Future Projection of Sparrso: Establishment of Advanced Multi-purpose Saellite Ground Station with Data Collection Platforms (DCP) System. Procurement of Survey plane with data acquisition system. Machine processing system with reproduction facilities. Development of regional programmes in water resources management, coastal zone monitoring, Disaster preparedness, etc. In-country Training capability for higher academic degrees and operational needs of the user agencies. International collaboration in the field of Space Science & Remote Sensing Technology. Construction of Laboratories and office accommodation for SPARRSO. The projected facilities are being developed with inputs from the Government of Bangladesh and likely external assistance from USAID, UNDP, French Govt. , FRG Govt., etc. Regional Remote Sensing Programmes Bangladesh participated in MONEX-79 expedition by seconding scientists and by providing GMS data, sea observation data and meteorological data to IMMC, New Delhi. The Principal Investigator (Director General), SPARRSO, was selected as Member-Secretary of a regional remote sensing mission in the ESCAP countries under sponsorship of UNDP/ESCAP. Their report, submitted to UNDP through ESCAP in July, 1930, if implemented, will enhance regional collaboration and generate regional programmes which will be highly beneficial to these countries. Remote Sensing Technoogy can be used as an effective tool for undertaking regional programmes relevant to the need of the countries concerned. Some of the programmes which could be undertaken on a regional basis are: Water resources management Coastal zone monitoring, Disaster preparedness Desertification studies Geologic mapping, Cartographic application, etc. In addition, training and information exchange can also be persued under the regional concept. All these could be done on T.C.D.C. concept, as well as under international collaboration with support from developed countries and the United Nations. Bangladesh would like to participate in the above remote sensing programmes. In addition, facilities developed in Bangladesh could be extended to the regional countries for training, research and development purposes.