2.1 Remote Sensing Application on Forest Survey Division FSD
The activity of FSD is to develop Forest Resources Information System (FRIS) for the preparation of an inventory of forest. This
activity was started with the assistance of FINNIDA. The main objective of the inventory was to asses the forest area and the
growing stock of forest and to monitor the changes taken place in the forest cover of Tarai plain belt (20 districts bordering
India) from 1978 to 1992. In this study Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery 1991 data with the field sample plot
measurements and other digital map data were used for resources assessment. The study has been completed in November 1993.
The information obtained were the size of timbers, volume of firewood biomass and also showed that 15 percent of the total forest
land of Tarai belt has been changed in non-forest land or deforested during 12 years period. At the end of the study in 1993,FRIS
project improved the infrastructure of digital lab necessary for image interpretation and map production, and development of
skilled and qualified personnel.
Spot imageries were used for Land Cover Mapping in eastern hill districts of Nepal with visual interpretation technique and
through this it was to compare prints of panchromatic, multilspectral, principal component analysis and band ratio in terms of
their effectiveness. This study resulted 5 major land cover classes i.e. forest, cultivation, scrub, rock and grass.From July 1994
onward FSD is mainly concentrated on FRIS development through forest resources assessment in the hill and mountain regions
of 75% of eastern and central Nepal with the assistance of FINNID. It is anticipated to complete the work by the first half of
1996. Remote sensing tool has been used with aerial photographs and satellite imagery based system overlapping frequently used
simultaneously. :
2.2 Department of Mines and Geology DM&
Remote Sensing Laboratory has been established in 1992 in the DMG. They are using the hardcopy of satellite imagery, Thematic
Mapper (TM) Scene on the scale 1:125,000 along with aerial photographs 1:50,000. The methods they are using are the visual
interpretation of these images and photos and the ground truthing(verification).
Using remote sensing technique with field verification and ground truthing DMG has completed the works of geological
mapping as follows:
- Geological mapping of 500 sq.km. Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk and 1,500 sq. km. of Makawanpur and Sindhuli districts
during 1992-93.
- During 1993-94 ground truthing of 1,000 sq. km. of Baglung, Parbat, Gulmi and Syangja districts of western Nepal had been
completed but editing have been remained.
- . Completed the geological mapping of an area of 1,000 sq. km. of Myagdi, Parbat and Kaski districts of west Nepal in 1994-
95
- Geological Map of Nepal-1994 has been printed and published.
- [n the current fiscal year of 1995-96, ground survey of 1,000 sq. km. of the districts of Palpa, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi and
Kapilbastu have been completed.
2.3 International Center for Integrated Mountain Development ICIMOD
This organization was established with an objective to promote the development of environmentally sound mountain eco-system
operating at the interface between research and development activities along the 8 countries of Hindukush Region. Image
facilities have been established in this Center with a view to develop Mountain Environment and Natural Resources Information
System (MENRIS) and Geographical Information System (GIS). The PC based as well as ARC/INFO 03.4.2 for GIS applications
and read/write magneto optical disc drives are used for storage of satellite image data.
ICIMOD is using Landsat Imageries and data for Environment Impact Assessment(EIA) of the river basin of East Nepal which is
flowing from Tibet. At present ICIMOD MENRIS holds various satellite images acquired through Landsat MS,TM and SPOT.
Steps are underway to acquire satellite imagery from Indian Space Research organization to enhance its collection of satellite
data and materials. MENRIS is exploring possible application for radar satellite technology which is expected to be of particular
interest for Hindukkush Region.
2.4 Department of Hydrology and Meteorology DHM
Satellite meteorology is being handled by Meteorological Forecasting Division of DHM. The department has facilities in
receiving the visual pictures of NOAA and GMS satellites. The main aim is the reception and reproduction of cloud imageries in
visual and infra-red forms to forecast and predict the weather.
50
: International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B6. Vienna 1996
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