Global standard Space Technology Applications in national development untapped in Sri Lanka
Tuesday, 22 October 2013 00:44
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By David Ebert
The Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technology (ACCIMT) in collaboration with United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (UNESCAP) held a one-day CEO forum on ‘Space Technology Applications for National Development’ yesterday at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo.
The first of its kind to be held in Sri Lanka, the forum saw a host of leading regional experts in the field present their case studies on the benefits derived from the application of Remote Sensing (RI), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in fields of national importance.
Focusing on a highly diverse array of application fields such as resource mapping, agriculture, transport, navigation, environmental protection, meteorology, disaster management and surveying, etc., a positive picture emerged especially in terms of the usefulness and the vast potential that the technology can offer an emerging economy such as Sri Lanka.
However, despite the many advantages available for Government authorities to utilise the technology and optimise their productivity, Sri Lanka sadly still lags behind most countries in Asia in terms of space technology use. The major bottleneck in most cases is found to lay mainly in the unavailability of RS/GIS data at an affordable cost, capacity constraints and in certain other cases, insufficient awareness of its potential.
The ACCIMT in its capacity both as a statutory corporation with a mandate for facilitating the introduction of modern technology, (including space technology in its area of specialisation), as well as being the national focal point for space technology, organised the forum in order to bring about an increased awareness among CEOs and heads of public sector institutions that are already using space technology applications in their current activities.
The forum included presentations by expert resource personnel from UNESCAP and the Indian Space Research Organisation as well as a discussion on the specific needs of earth observation satellite data and capacity building among the participating public sector agencies.
Chief Guest at the forum, Minister of Technology and Research Patali Champika Ranawaka in his speech commended the efforts of the ACCIMT in organising the forum of which he stated emphasised a subject of “national importance” at a time when the country itself is looking at furthering its capabilities in space technology.
In his speech the Minister said that in today’s age of vast advances in technology, satellite technology has become a norm in most developed countries and is used in every facet of its development.
“There is a common adage used by many of us to refer to something which is not particularly complex and hard to understand but is apparently perceived to be as such by the people we are talking to. We would say ‘it is not rocket science’. You can’t say the same about the theme of today’s forum.
“Over the past couple of decades, space technology applications have found their way into many disciplines from agriculture, natural resource management to environment. The use of remote sensor satellite mapping imagery together with its requisite software and application programs in order to estimate the geographic extent of a particular crop of paddy that has been cultivated or in order to estimate the surface temperature of the ocean or land, these applications are almost becoming standard.”
The Minister explained that the use of geographic information systems for storing analysed data in order to model, forecast and eventually to make optimal decisions in such disciplines as urban planning, land reclamation etc are becoming standard techniques of the trade and that Sri Lanka needs to play catch up quick in order to maintain or even optimise its march towards being a developed nation.
The speaker at the morning session, National Remote Sensing Centre India Deputy Director Dr. P.G. Diwakar made his presentation titled ‘Space Technology Applications in Natural Resource & Environmental Management’ which focused on the benefits India has seen since integrating satellite technology into its national development and disaster relief efforts.
Dr. Diwakar’s point was proven especially in the aftermath of typhoon Phailin recently, where the Indian Government’s disaster management efforts in the state of Orissa were hailed internationally as a resounding success, with one million people being evacuated and a minimum loss of life reported. Dr. Diwakar in his presentation detailed using examples of satellite imagery and mapping techniques, how authorities were assisted in determining high risk areas and organising relief efforts accordingly.
The other speakers at the subsequent sessions of the day were UNESCAP Space Applications Section Chief, Bangkok, Dr. Wang Keran and UNESCAP Space Applications Section Disaster Risk Reduction Expert Dr. Michio Ito. The welcome address of the forum was delivered by newly appointed ACCIMT Chairman Prof. H.Y. Ranjith Perera with an introduction to the forum by ACCIMT Director/CEO Sanath Panawennage.
Pix by Upul Abayasekara
