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India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Assam CM inaugurates nation's first ever Aqua Tech Park at Bagibari Sonapur
Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 12 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday inaugurated India's first water technology park named 'Aqua Tech Park' established through collaborative efforts at Bagibari Sonapur. The 'Aqua Tech Park' set up by Kolong-Kapili in association with NABARD, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Fishery Department and Selco Foundation, the Aqua Tech Park the first of its kind in Assam. The park showcases advanced technologies in aquaponics, biofloc system, modern fish production, ornamental fish breeding and other innovative areas. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Assam said that, the Aqua Tech park will aim at empowering fish farmers with knowledge of cutting edge technologies that will enhance fish production and boost the income of the fish farmers. He also said that the park is a way forward to resurgent Assam and Atmanirbhar Assam. 'Assam is a state rich in rivers. However, in spite of this, the state is dependent on state like Andhra Pradesh for meeting its fish demands. In this context, the initiative taken by Kolong-Kopili deserves accolades. For the last one and a half decade Kolong-Kopili has been a source of inspiration to the youth across the state. For the last 17 years, Kolong-Kopili by rendering training to different stakeholders on modern techniques of fish production impacted the lives of the entrepreneurs and fish farmers of the state positively. By introducing innovation, Kolong-Kopili has added a new dimension to fish farming and the economy dependent on fish,' the Chief Minister said. The Chief Minister said that in the year 2021 Kolong-Kopili with assistance from ICAR and CIFR started its Aqua Culture School and made an important contribution to fish farming, natural farming, fish fry production, and integrated agriculture system which led to empowerment of thousands of youths. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the Aqua Tech Park would prove to be a boon to the farmers and other stakeholders. He also said that the Aqua Tech Park, will also greatly boost fish production and provide ample earning opportunities to the fish farmers of Assam. 'This park will be a model of fisheries development in the state,' the Chief Minister exhorted. Stating that Assam holds tremendous possibility in the field of fishery, the Chief Minister said that between 2019 and 2024, Assam doubled its fish production to 4.99 lakh MT and became the fourth largest fish producing state in India. 'Government along with other stakeholders is working dedicatedly to make Assam among the top five states in the country, in every field. Rs. 800 crore ADB assisted project has been initiated in the state to support Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation Project. Moreover, the JICA aided Rs. 250 crore project also helped in taking many others schemes for the development of fishery sector in the state,' he said. Additionally, Sarma added that with the synergy of the conventional agriculture system and modern technology, State government in the current financial year created 10 fishery cluster development project involving a financial outlay of Rs. 8 crore. Moreover, he said that the double engine government has taken various steps to develop the fisheries sector in the State through schemes like PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, SWIFT, among others. With all these initiatives, the government is not just rejuvenating the fisheries sector in Assam but making it competitive nationally, Dr. Sarma added. Citing the examples of Debojit Barman of Nalbari, Hemanta Deka and Fatik Ahmed of Barpeta, Biswajit Bora of Sonitpur, Sudipa Dey of Cachar, Harendranath Rabha of Tamulpur, Krishna Gogoi of Jorhat, Lalit Dutta of Golaghat, Chief Minister called upon the youth of the state to come forward and tap the potential of fishery sector. He said that under Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan, State government is giving Rs. 5 lakh to each of the graduates passed out from Raha Fishery College and Rs. 2 lakh to fishery farmers. He also said that from September onwards one lakh youth of state would be given financial benefits under the scheme (CMAAA). Director Kolong-Kopili Jyotish Talukdar gave the welcome speech in the programme, which was also addressed among others by Fishery Minister Krishnendu Paul, MLA Dispur Atul Bora, Chief General Manager NABARD Regional Office Assam Loken Das. Vice Chairman Assam Fisheries Development Corporation Nabarun Medhi, Director Fishery Gauri Shankar Das, and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion. (ANI)
The National
11-04-2025
- Science
- The National
Dubai space centre uses AI to help with global disaster response
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is using AI to provide analysis and insights which can prove crucial in helping disaster response missions across the world. The centre's satellites, which provide high-resolution images from above the ground, were used in a host of missions including the Philippines, for disaster relief efforts after a volcano erupted, in Indonesia in the wake of severe flooding, and in Libya after it was also hit by flooding. The Dubai-based MBRSC is receiving an average of eight requests a week for its satellites to be used in disaster relief efforts around the world, said a senior figure from the organisation. 'We are a very active member of the disaster management organisations,' said Saeed Al Mansoori, director of the Remote Sensing Department at MBRSC. "We provide them with high-resolution satellite imagery, along with maps and studies for the areas that witness crises like earthquakes, volcanoes, floods or landslides." He said the centre received an average of eight requests each week, adding: 'We need to respond immediately. If today there is a flood in a certain area, we need to provide them with what's going on today, because the situation will be different tomorrow.' Since the beginning of 2024, MBRSC has supported around 40 disaster response missions internationally, he revealed. These are typically post-event requests, used to assess the extent of damage and provide governments and aid agencies with the information they need to act quickly. As demand for real-time data grows, MBRSC is also turning to artificial intelligence to expand its capabilities. 'We are embedding artificial intelligence in order to respond immediately to as many requests as possible,' said Mr Al Mansoori. 'We're collecting historical data and using it to train the AI, so the system can analyse and produce insights without needing people to work from home or during weekends. This way, we can achieve more, with better accuracy, in a shorter time." Mr Al Mansoori was speaking to The National at the ISPRS Geospatial Week, which is hosted in Dubai by MBRSC. The ISPRS, which stands for the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, is a global organisation advocating for co-operation between nations on scanning areas by satellite or from aeroplanes to gather data. The conference, which runs in Dubai until Friday, brings together global experts in remote sensing, geoscience and photogrammetry – the name given to measuring distance from photographs and digital imagery. 'This is a platform for serious dialogue and collaboration,' said Mr Al Mansoori, 'It's about uniting expertise across sectors and disciplines to create real-world solutions through space-based technologies.' The MBRSC has developed and launched five Earth observation satellites since 2009, ranging from nanosatellites (miniature satellites) to small-sized ones. Last month, The National reported that the UAE's latest synthetic aperture radar (Sar) satellite lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. MBRSC confirmed the launch took place on Saturday, March 14, at 10.43am. The first signal from the satellite was received at 12.04pm. 'Sar actually will add great value to what we are doing,' said Mr Al Mansoori. 'It will add more value-added products to our government and entities. It will fill the gap in research because there was a lack of government research when it comes to synthetic aperture radar technology. Now UAE universities will have data coming from Sar, and they won't need to rely on other sensors or data sources.' While the UAE is not the first country in the world to use Sar satellites, it is a regional leader, he said. 'We are the first in the region,' Mr Al Mansoori said. 'This is something very important for our government and our academic institutions.'
The National
11-04-2025
- Science
- The National
Dubai space centre uses AI to help with global disaster response as demand for services grows
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is using AI to provide analysis and insights which can prove crucial in helping disaster response missions across the world. The centre's satellites, which provide high-resolution images from above the ground, were used in a host of missions including the Philippines, for disaster relief efforts after a volcano erupted, in Indonesia in the wake of severe flooding, and in Libya after it was also hit by flooding. The Dubai-based MBRSC is receiving an average of eight requests a week for its satellites to be used in disaster relief efforts around the world, said a senior figure from the organisation. 'We are a very active member of the disaster management organisations,' said Saeed Al Mansoori, director of the Remote Sensing Department at MBRSC. "We provide them with high-resolution satellite imagery, along with maps and studies for the areas that witness crises like earthquakes, volcanoes, floods or landslides." He said the centre received an average of eight requests each week, adding: 'We need to respond immediately. If today there is a flood in a certain area, we need to provide them with what's going on today, because the situation will be different tomorrow.' Since the beginning of 2024, MBRSC has supported around 40 disaster response missions internationally, he revealed. These are typically post-event requests, used to assess the extent of damage and provide governments and aid agencies with the information they need to act quickly. As demand for real-time data grows, MBRSC is also turning to artificial intelligence to expand its capabilities. 'We are embedding artificial intelligence in order to respond immediately to as many requests as possible,' said Mr Al Mansoori. 'We're collecting historical data and using it to train the AI, so the system can analyse and produce insights without needing people to work from home or during weekends. This way, we can achieve more, with better accuracy, in a shorter time." Mr Al Mansoori was speaking to The National at the ISPRS Geospatial Week, which is hosted in Dubai by MBRSC. The ISPRS, which stands for the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, is a global organisation advocating for co-operation between nations on scanning areas by satellite or from aeroplanes to gather data. The conference, which runs in Dubai until Friday, brings together global experts in remote sensing, geoscience and photogrammetry – the name given to measuring distance from photographs and digital imagery. 'This is a platform for serious dialogue and collaboration,' said Mr Al Mansoori, 'It's about uniting expertise across sectors and disciplines to create real-world solutions through space-based technologies.' The MBRSC has developed and launched five Earth observation satellites since 2009, ranging from nanosatellites (miniature satellites) to small-sized ones. Last month, The National reported that the UAE's latest synthetic aperture radar (Sar) satellite lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. MBRSC confirmed the launch took place on Saturday, March 14, at 10.43am. The first signal from the satellite was received at 12.04pm. 'Sar actually will add great value to what we are doing,' said Mr Al Mansoori. 'It will add more value-added products to our government and entities. It will fill the gap in research because there was a lack of government research when it comes to synthetic aperture radar technology. Now UAE universities will have data coming from Sar, and they won't need to rely on other sensors or data sources.' While the UAE is not the first country in the world to use Sar satellites, it is a regional leader, he said. 'We are the first in the region,' Mr Al Mansoori said. 'This is something very important for our government and our academic institutions.'
The National
26-02-2025
- Science
- The National
UAE to launch satellite next month under South Korea space partnership
The UAE will launch its latest high-tech satellite next month in partnership with South Korea, in the latest step forward for the country's growing space sector. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, said the development of the satellite, called Etihad-Sat, highlighted the nation's soaring ambitions in space exploration. The advanced synthetic aperture radar (Sar) features cutting-edge imaging technology, enabling it to provide high-precision observation in all weather condition, Sheikh Hamdan said. Etihad-Sat was built through a strategic partnership between the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and South Korea's Satrec Initiative. No details were disclosed on the launch site and date for the satellite, or what its primary objectives will be. "Our ambitions in the space sector know no bounds, and we firmly believe in the capabilities of our youth to strengthen the UAE's global leadership in space exploration and help shape a brighter future for humanity, powered by knowledge and innovation," Sheikh Hamdan posted on social media platform X. In January, the UAE's MBZ-Sat, the region's most advanced Earth-observation satellite, blasted off into space. The 750kg satellite was launched into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, engineered by Elon Musk's SpaceX company, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. MBZ-Sat, named in honour of President Sheikh Mohamed, had been in development by Emirati engineers at the MBRSC since 2020, with most of the satellite parts made by private companies. Amar Vora, head of space at Serco Middle East, a company that provides services and consultancy to the public and private sector, previously told The National that the satellite would provide the highest resolution imagery in the region. Its capabilities exceed those of its predecessor, KhalifaSat. Meanwhile, the country's Hope probe completed four years in orbit around Mars this month and is continuing to deliver crucial scientific data that is helping researchers to better understand the Red Planet's atmosphere, weather and potential signs of past life. On February 9, 2021, the country became the first Arab nation and the fifth worldwide to enter the planet's orbit with a car-sized spacecraft. Since then, researchers around the world have been using the probe's data to fill the gaps in understanding Mars's climate history, atmospheric dynamics and the presence of bio-signature gases that could indicate whether the planet once hosted life. The mission has also provided unprecedented insights into Martian auroras, weather patterns and one of the planet's two moons, Deimos.
