NEW INITIATIVE OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) EMERGING TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS IN NORTH EAST FOR CAPACITY BUILDING AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OF NORTH EASTERN SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE

Abstract. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology is revolutionizing and acting as an alternative for many of remote sensing applications, particularly for very high resolution satellite requirements, considering easy of flying in the areas of persistent cloud cover like North East. According to top market reports, UAV business is growing at very fast rate. It is valued at USD 18.14 Billion in 2017 and is projected to reach USD 52.30 Billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 14.15% from 2018 to 2025.

North Eastern Space Applications Centre, Umiam, Shillong, Meghalaya, which is responsible for promoting space technology tools for governance and development activities; has taken up a lead role in initiating use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for large number of applications such as natural resources management, infrastructure development, disaster response and rescue, project monitoring, research and development etc. Capacity building, training and outreach are important activities taken up by NESAC for promoting use of UAV remote sensing at central/state/academic/research institutions and individual level.

As part of capacity building, NESAC has successfully organized two 2 weeks training program for UAV Remote sensing & Applications for the participants all over the country. NESAC has also organised 1 week training programs for officials from State Remote Sensing Centres of North Eastern Region and North Eastern Council. More than 100 participants have been trained from different part of the country. The focus of the training was to include all aspects of UAV Remote Sensing applications. The details of course curriculum are: basic concepts of UAV, building of UAVs, UAV flight simulation, flight planning, UAV data processing, generation of DSM/DTM/Orthomosaic, use of UAV data for different applications in the field of Agriculture, Disaster management, Forestry, Infrastructure planning, construction monitoring etc. Pilot project is also incorporated as part of the training. Apart from training programs at NESAC, large numbers of application projects (> 60 nos.) have been successfully completed. Outreach activities are also carried out which includes exhibiting UAVs at seminars, demonstration to large no. of students, showcasing UAV capabilities at disaster drills carried out by State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) etc. The new initiatives of UAV convinced all concerned at taking up UAV RS applications for governance and developmental activities. The full paper will discuss all the aspects of UAV technology and applications.