Related Topics: Science & Technology, Digitisation of Land Titles
News
- India’s oldest scientific department, the Survey of India (SoI) — historically tasked with mapping the country — will for the first time rely on drones to map the country.
- The aim is to map 75% of India’s geography— about 2.4 million sq km of the 3.2 million sq km — within the next two years.
High Resolution Maps
- Currently the best SoI maps have a resolution of 1:2500, meaning a 1 cm on the map represent 2500 cm on the ground.
- The maps being prepared, according to senior officials associated with the project will be of 1:500 resolution, meaning 1 cm will represent 500 cm.
Use of Drones
- The organisation aims to procure about 300 drones — so far about 30 have been sourced — for the gargantuan exercise.
- However forests, hills and deserts are likely to be left out.
- As a prelude, the SoI, which is affliated to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has signed agreements with 6 districts in Haryana, 2 in Karnataka and 2 in Maharashtra to undertake such drone-based mapping exercises.
Significance
- A major consequence of the drone-based exercise will be the mapping of settled habitations in villages (called abaadi areas in legal parlance).
- Mapping will create high resolution maps of land in villages facilitating the digitisation of land titles in villages.
- Based on the availability of accurate maps, residents will finally be able to get property cards as well as proper legal titles to their lands.
About Survey of India
- It is the National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country under the Department of Science & Technology
- It is the oldest scientific department of the Govt. of India.
- It was set up in 1767 and has evolved rich traditions over the years.
- It bears a special responsibility to ensure that the country’s domain is explored and mapped
- It provides base maps for expeditious and integrated development.
- It ensures that all resources contribute with their full measure to the progress, prosperity and security of the country now and for generations to come.
- It is headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
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