Gujarat CM Leads Initiative: MoU Signed Between Water Resources Department and SAC-ISRO on Good Governance Day
Gandhinagar, Gujarat [India], December 25: Marking the observance of ‘Good Governance Day,’ a significant milestone in water resource management was achieved under the leadership of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The Water Resources Department and the Space Application Centre (SAC) of ISRO inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage space technology for enhancing water resource development and management in the state.
The partnership aims to employ cutting-edge space technology to improve water conservation, irrigation, and monitoring practices while also building the technical capabilities of department officials.
Key Initiatives Under the Collaboration
The five-year collaboration between SAC-ISRO and the Water Resources Department will implement advanced technological solutions, including:
- Digital Elevation Models for designing water harvesting structures.
- Satellite-Based Mapping of irrigation networks and water resources.
- High-Resolution Satellite Imagery for efficient irrigation management.
- Seasonal Crop Analysis and irrigation benchmarking.
- Hydrological Modeling for sustainable water resource planning.
- Flood Management and River Morphology Studies for disaster resilience.
- Groundwater Monitoring and conservation, along with salinity ingress mapping.
- Reservoir Sedimentation Analysis to optimize water storage capacity.
The collaboration will also include the development of monitoring dashboards and validation with geospatial and in-situ data to ensure accurate implementation and analysis.
Capacity Building and Research Projects
To maximize the impact of this collaboration, regional-level geospatial cells will be established within the Water Resources Department. These cells will focus on the localized implementation of projects. Capacity-building programs and training for officials will further enhance technical expertise, ensuring long-term sustainability.
The MoU also outlines specific pilot studies to address pressing regional issues, such as waterlogging in the Ghed area of Saurashtra, salinity ingress in Saurashtra and South Gujarat, and aquifer recharge in North Gujarat.
Supporting Water Conservation Efforts
Aligned with the state’s broader vision for water resource management, the Water Resources Department continues to prioritize the construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure such as dams, barrages, weirs, and check dams. Through an extensive network of canals and other systems, irrigation services currently cover 32 lakh hectares across Gujarat.
Role of SAC-ISRO
The Space Application Centre (SAC), a key arm of ISRO located in Ahmedabad, has been at the forefront of applying space technology to various sectors, including water management. This collaboration further underscores SAC’s commitment to advancing technological solutions for sustainable development.
High-Level Attendance at the Event
The MoU signing ceremony, held in Gandhinagar, witnessed the presence of prominent leaders, including Minister for Forest and Environment Mulubhai Bera, Minister of State Mukesh Patel, Minister for Cooperation Jagdish Vishwakarma, and Chief Secretary Raj Kumar. Senior officials from the Water Resources Department and scientists from SAC-ISRO were also in attendance, emphasizing the importance of this initiative.
A Vision for the Future
This partnership is poised to transform water resource management in Gujarat, addressing challenges such as water scarcity, salinity ingress, and flooding through innovative solutions. By blending space technology with localized expertise, the initiative sets a benchmark for sustainable water management across the country.
