PTI file photo BENGALURU: Isro’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) to combine satellite data with ecological field research.“The collaboration will focus on mapping India’s grasslands and other open natural ecosystems, which have often remained under-represented in policy and planning. It will also assess the impact of restoration efforts on degraded lands and develop improved methods to estimate both above- and below-ground carbon,” a statement issued Thursday, read.The partnership will bring together SAC’s capabilities in large-scale geospatial mapping with Atree’s interdisciplinary ecological research and on-ground experience. The aim is to generate reliable, policy-ready datasets that can support decision-making at both national and state levels.“The two institutions will also work on creating standardised and scalable approaches to identify and monitor ecosystems such as grasslands, savannas and deserts. These landscapes, though ecologically significant, have received limited attention compared to forests,” the statement read.The initiative is expected to feed into land use planning, climate action strategies, conservation efforts and rural livelihood programmes. By improving how ecosystems are mapped and assessed, the collaboration seeks to provide a clearer picture of changes on the ground.The partnership aligns with India’s commitment to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030 and contributes to broader sustainable development goals.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’If Chanakya Were Alive…’: Priyanka Gandhi’s Swipe At Amit Shah Over Delimitation, Women QuotaNo More Russian Oil Waiver: What The US Decision Means For India’s Energy Needs Amid West Asia CrisisAustria’s Chancellor Calls India Key Partner, Pushes India-EU Trade Deal Amid Global TurmoilLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks’Will Pay A Price For A Long Time’: PM Modi Warns Oppn In Lok Sabha Over Women Quota BillNaari Vs Naara: Akhilesh Yadav Questions Women’s Bill Timing, Flags OBC Quota, Census Concerns’Women’s Reservation Or Delimitation?’ Gaurav Gogoi Slams Govt Over ‘850 Seat’ Lok Sabha PlanIndia-Austria Partnership Enters New Era As PM Modi Pitches Speed And Scale Strategy GloballyCongress Slams Delimitation Bill As “Attack On Federalism” | Venugopal Targets Centre123Photostories8 most unusual monkeys in the world: From capuchins to mandrillsStep inside Chris Gayle’s ₹20 crore lavish Jamaica mansion with private nightclub, infinity pools and unbelievable ocean views!‘Are we eating all our mangoes’: Why despite being the largest producer of mangoes, India is able to export just 1 percentGold vs lab-grown diamonds: What should you really buy this Akshaya Tritiya?Top 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living7 local and comforting dishes to try in MangaloreWeekend binge list on OTT: From ‘Euphoria Season 3’ to ‘Do Deewane Seher Mein’Tamannaah Bhatia to Malaika Arora: 5 best celebrity looks of the week you might have missedSenior Cardiologist explains why your daily walk isn’t enough, and the one heart metric you should track insteadThis Sanjeev Kapoor-style Matthe Wale Aloo is all you need for dinner during summer123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTCS NashikPune Harassment NewsVaranasi Woman DeathLucknow Vikas Nagar Fire IncidentAmir HamzaUP Beggar MurderBengaluru Businessman NewsGurgaon Student SuicideGunika KhuranaJaisalmer Murder
BENGALURU: Isro’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) to combine satellite data with ecological field research.“The collaboration will focus on mapping India’s grasslands and other open natural ecosystems, which have often remained under-represented in policy and planning. It will also assess the impact of restoration efforts on degraded lands and develop improved methods to estimate both above- and below-ground carbon,” a statement issued Thursday, read.The partnership will bring together SAC’s capabilities in large-scale geospatial mapping with Atree’s interdisciplinary ecological research and on-ground experience. The aim is to generate reliable, policy-ready datasets that can support decision-making at both national and state levels.“The two institutions will also work on creating standardised and scalable approaches to identify and monitor ecosystems such as grasslands, savannas and deserts. These landscapes, though ecologically significant, have received limited attention compared to forests,” the statement read.The initiative is expected to feed into land use planning, climate action strategies, conservation efforts and rural livelihood programmes. By improving how ecosystems are mapped and assessed, the collaboration seeks to provide a clearer picture of changes on the ground.The partnership aligns with India’s commitment to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030 and contributes to broader sustainable development goals.
