Er. S. C. Gupta, Er. R. S. Goel
Director, Central Water Comissionm
Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India
Er. Sanjay Sharma
Deputy Director, Central Water Comissionm
Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India
Abstract
Sustainable water resources development and management necessarily depends on proper planning, implementation, operation and maintenance. GIS and Remote Sensing techniques have to be effectively used to replace, complement and supplement ground data collection in various facets of different kinds of water resources projects. The synoptic large area repetitive coverage provided by satellite sensors when integrated with detailed time series information coming from ground sensors can provide appropriate data base which would lead to sustainable water resources development. Even though it is difficult to work out cost-benefit analysis of Remote Sensing applications in water resources management, many case studies and detailed discussions with the experts of the subject have proves that the cost of development can be brought down when Remote Sensing has been used along with conventional methods. This article provides an overview of application of Remote Sensing Techniques in various phases of water resources development and management, either independently or in association with conventional methods. This paper would help policy planners and water resources managers to appreciate the potential of Remote Sensing capabilities for application in management of precious water wealth, much vital for infrastructure development in the developing countries, particularly in the South and Central Asia. Indian experiences for pushing frontiers of technology in the management of precious water resources may serve path-finder to the agencies engaged in similer activities.
