TUMKUR: With the launch of Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System as a joint initiative of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Tumkur University on the latter’s campus, Tumkur city has joined an elite league of places which boast of the facility.
The difference it makes is the use of the latest image-processing software ‘arch-view’ unlike other centres across the state.
A state-of-the-art laboratory is being established at University Science College at a cost of `70 lakh where the varsity has provided the infrastructure at a cost of `15 lakh. The Centre will be collecting data on availability of ground water, bio-diversity, green cover, fisheries and mineral availability in the district. The data will not only contribute to further studies and research but will also be used for strategies on economic development of the region. Different sections of the society, especially farmers, will be benefited by the project, said HOD for studies and research in Physics Dr H Nagabhushana, who is leading the Centre’s activities.
Data collected regionally can be compared with those of ISRO, which are collected through satellites and later can be cross-checked, which helps research studies.
An automated weather station will work in co-ordination by collecting the minutest data of the region.
Since Tumkur is one of the regions which are rich in minerals and have stone quarries and mining areas, the Baba Atomic Research Centre will monitor the radiation through GIS and Remote Sensing Centre’s data, informed Nagabhushan.
The Centre will also help research in geology, history and archeology studies. Principal Secretary (Higher Education) Siddaiah, who officially inaugurated the centre on Wednesday, appreciated V-C Dr S C Sharma for the initiative.