Pakistan: Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani approved Pakistan Space Policy and it is likely to be presented in National Assembly for its consideration and approval soon, Chairman, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Major General Ahmed Bilal announced.
Giving a presentation of SUPARCO at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he admitted that in first 40 years since its inception very little work has been done of in space research. He said that in many countries of the world, space related businesses are generating billions of dollars whereas Pakistan is lagging behind in this area. He stressed that emphasis in the policy has been placed on educating students about its benefit for the nation. According to the policy, space education should be made compulsory in schools and colleges.
Bilal stated that SUPARCO is developing indigenous capabilities in space technology and promoting space applications for socio-economic uplift of the country. It has been pursuing a multidisciplinary Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS application programme for resource and environmental surveying/monitoring and management for socio-economic development of the country.Â
The chairman informed that a pilot project of agriculture crop monitoring through satellite was launched in 2005, which was a big success and now its ambit has been extended. Ahmed Bilal said SUPARCO has developed technology to collect detailed of land hooding by using satellite and a programme has also been launched to digitalise land-holding record. He informed that he has written a letter to Sindh Government to digitalise its land-holding record.
About the energy crises in the country, Bilal said that SUPARCO has prepared comprehensive data and pin pointed where water reservoirs can be built and areas suitable for wind-power generators. He suggested that it should be made mandatory for all new upcoming constructions in upper society like defence areas that they should generate at least 10 percent of their energy by using solar panels.
Source:Â www.brecorder.com
