IMPHAL, Dec 23: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has underlined the significance of a detailed mapping of demographic data along the India-Myanmar border, especially in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur. This initiative, he stated, would assist in strengthening border fencing and curbing infiltration. Shah made these remarks during the 12th meeting of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) Society held in Agartala, Tripura, on December 21.
The meeting saw the participation of Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Chief Ministers Dr. Manik Saha (Tripura), Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), N. Biren Singh (Manipur), Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh), and Prem Singh Tamang (Sikkim). Other notable attendees included Union Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Secretary of the Department of Space Dr. S. Somnath, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, and senior officials from the Central and state governments of the North Eastern Region.
Highlighting advancements in the space sector, Amit Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for propelling the sector forward over the past decade. He noted that the NESAC Society, after 25 years of its establishment, is now showcasing tangible positive outcomes in its operations. Shah urged the NESAC Society to broaden its scope of work in the northeastern states and encouraged state governments to support and collaborate in these initiatives.
The Home Minister emphasized that mapping the demographic data of border areas is crucial for effective border fencing and preventing infiltration. He advocated for a comprehensive survey in these regions to facilitate this process.
Shah also called on NESAC to prioritize forest area development using space science. He suggested comparing historical maps with recent ones to identify opportunities for afforestation and recommended collaborating with state governments for large-scale tree-planting initiatives. Additionally, Shah proposed that NESAC focus on flood mapping in the northeastern states to better address this recurring issue.
To spark interest in space technology among students, Shah urged the NESAC Society to organize visits for 100 science students from each northeastern state to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) headquarters. He proposed that the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region cover 60% of the project cost. Furthermore, Shah encouraged northeastern state governments to introduce space technology courses in engineering colleges to build local expertise.
Speaking on infrastructure, Shah highlighted NESAC’s contribution to developing 20 waterways in the region and urged the Society to explore more opportunities. He emphasized the importance of extensive mapping for mineral, oil, and coal reserves, which could boost the financial prospects of northeastern states through royalties.
Commending NESAC’s efforts, Shah emphasized the importance of leveraging space technology for administrative purposes and developmental activities in the challenging terrain of the northeast. He also called on the NESAC Society to work on developing a sustainable revenue model to ensure long-term operational success.
