The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently launched two advanced geoportals—Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0) and National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0)—at Prithvi Bhavan, New Delhi. These platforms aim to enhance governance, disaster management, and decentralized planning through space-based geospatial information.
Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0):
- Purpose and Development: Bhuvan Panchayat 4.0 is an advanced online platform developed by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under ISRO. It serves as a comprehensive WebGIS (Web Geographic Information System) designed to support “Space-based Information Support for Decentralized Planning (SISDP)” and empower citizens at the grassroots level in Panchayats across India.
- Features: The portal offers high-resolution satellite imagery at a scale of 1:10K, enabling visualization and planning for infrastructure development, land use, and disaster risk reduction at the Gram Panchayat level. The platform supports the integration and utilization of space-based information into governance and research initiatives.
- Benefits: By digitalizing rural land records and improving land revenue management, Bhuvan Panchayat aims to reduce corruption, enhance transparency, and promote ease of living by giving citizens direct access to real-time data. The geoportal is built with state-of-the-art web technologies, ensuring cross-platform and device interoperability, thus providing an optimal User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX).
National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0):
- Purpose and Development: NDEM is a national-level geoportal developed to provide a comprehensive, uniform, and structured multi-scale geospatial database for the entire country. It supports situational assessment and effective decision-making during disasters and emergency situations. The platform has been operational since 2013 and has now been upgraded to version 5.0.
- Features: NDEM 5.0 integrates space-based information with Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) tools and services from disaster forecasting organizations. It hosts disaster-specific products derived from satellite imagery and supports all phases of disaster management. The updated version, designed using Angular & Modular Framework, offers dynamic content loading, consistency of services, and performance improvements.
- Role in Disaster Management: NDEM acts as a Disaster Recovery and Data Provider node for the Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR-ER) established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi. The platform is crucial in providing real-time data and decision support for managing natural disasters effectively.
Launch Event:
The geoportals were launched by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, in the presence of Secretaries from various ministries, including the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Jal Shakti, Mines, and Home Affairs. The launch underscores ISRO’s commitment to using space technology for governance and disaster management, supporting the broader goals of sustainable development and national security.
These geoportals represent significant advancements in the use of space-based information for decentralized planning and disaster management in India, providing critical tools for both governance and emergency response.
The launch of ISRO’s advanced geoportals, Bhuvan Panchayat 4.0 and NDEM 5.0, highlights the importance of space technology in governance and disaster management. This development is especially relevant for aspirants preparing for RBI Grade B and other government job exams, as understanding the application of space technology is a key part of the RBI Grade B syllabus and other competitive exam curricula. Moreover, being informed on these technological advancements provides an edge in exams that test knowledge of India’s infrastructure and strategic initiatives, which may influence future RBI Grade B salary considerations and career opportunities.
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