BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) to integrate satellite data with ecological field studies.
This collaboration will primarily focus on mapping India’s grasslands and other open natural ecosystems, which have been underrepresented in both policy development and planning processes. The initiative aims to evaluate the effectiveness of restoration efforts in degraded areas and develop improved methodologies for estimating carbon content in both above-ground and below-ground ecosystems.
According to a statement released on Thursday, the partnership will leverage SAC’s expertise in large-scale geospatial mapping alongside ATREE’s interdisciplinary ecological research and practical field experience. The goal is to generate reliable, policy-ready datasets to aid decision-makers at both national and state levels.
The institutions will also develop standardized and scalable methodologies for the identification and monitoring of ecosystems, including grasslands, savannas, and deserts, which, despite their ecological importance, have often received less focus compared to forested areas.
This initiative is expected to inform land use planning, climate action strategies, conservation efforts, and rural livelihood programs. By enhancing ecosystem mapping and assessments, the collaboration aims to provide a more accurate depiction of environmental changes.
Moreover, this partnership supports India’s commitment to achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030 and aligns with global sustainable development goals.
