Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, plans to utilise satellite technology developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to closely monitor pollution sources in northwest and central India
According to a report by Hindustan Times, MoES is already working with ISRO to identify stubble-burning hotspots in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, aiming to address one of the major contributors to air pollution in the region
The upcoming project aims to broaden the scope of pollution monitoring beyond stubble burning, encompassing various sources such as vehicular and industrial emissions, open burning, and construction activities
Through satellite imaging, the authorities plan to create a real-time pollution map for the region. This map will serve as a valuable tool to hold states accountable for their contributions to pollution levels
The senior MoES official emphasised that the satellite technology would enable the government to identify hotspots and enforce accountability, ensuring a more effective response to pollution-related challenges
The government is optimistic about rolling out the satellite monitoring system before the next winter season, with the aim of establishing it as a standardised model for monitoring pollution sources
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) explains that satellites measure aerosol concentration in the atmosphere through observations of light reaching the Earth's surface and its reflection off aerosols, known as aerosol optical depth (AOD)
A senior ISRO scientist familiar with the matter highlighted that the agency's imager payload on INSAT-3D and 3DR satellites is currently used to monitor AOD and detect PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the atmosphere
Spatial maps based on INSAT 3D and 3DR imager data, including AOD, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations, are made available to the public on web portals such as airquality.iirs.gov.in and mosdac.gov.in
Using medium-resolution Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite data, the project generates stubble burnt area maps at the conclusion of stubble-burning activities during the kharif season