In a major milestone for geospatial governance, Indian Space Research Organisation has completed high-resolution Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) mapping for the entire country at a 1:10000 scale, announced on National Panchayati Raj Day.
This level of detail means 1 cm on the map represents 100 metres on the ground, allowing clear identification of features such as farms, water bodies, schools, and industrial sites. The dataset has been made available to government agencies and integrated into the Gram Manchitra portal of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
LULC mapping combines two key elements. Land Cover captures the physical surface such as forests, water, and buildings, while Land Use reflects how land is utilised for agriculture, housing, or industry. Together, they create a comprehensive spatial view of the country.
For a Gram Panchayat, this marks a shift toward evidence-based planning. Local leaders can now use satellite-backed insights to plan infrastructure, allocate resources, and prepare Gram Panchayat Development Plans with greater accuracy.
The data also supports critical initiatives such as disaster preparedness, water conservation, and afforestation by providing reliable ground-level insights from space.
The Gram Manchitra platform, a GIS-based system developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, enables users to layer multiple datasets such as roads, water sources, soil, and population. ISRO’s high-resolution mapping adds a powerful new layer to this system.
This development strengthens Bhuvan Panchayat, enhancing its role as a practical tool for rural governance and grassroots decision-making.
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