Bhutan has introduced its first national framework for coordinating the use of satellite imagery, drone data and other remote-sensing technologies across government agencies.
The National Remote Sensing Framework, launched yesterday, is expected to improve the way the country uses geographic information for disaster preparedness, environmental protection, agriculture, infrastructure development and land management.
Remote sensing allows authorities to collect information about the Earth’s surface without being physically present at a location. Through satellites and drones, it can be used to monitor forests, glaciers, agricultural land, settlements and areas vulnerable to natural disasters.
Although several government agencies in Bhutan already use such technology, their work has largely been carried out independently. Agencies have often collected their own data and developed separate systems, limiting opportunities for collaboration and sometimes resulting in duplication of effort.
The new framework seeks to address this by introducing common standards and enabling agencies to share data, technical expertise and resources.
It was developed by the Division of Telecom and Space under the Government Technology Agency in collaboration with the National Land Commission Secretariat and the Centre for Geo-Information.
Officials said the framework would create a more organised system under which remote-sensing information collected or purchased by one agency could also be accessed and used by others.
“The data that we have procured through this framework can be hosted in our system so that other agencies can get access to this data, which can be used for socioeconomic planning, so that we can have better service delivery for the benefit of our people,” said Karma Tshering Dema, a GIS officer with the National Land Commission Secretariat.
The initiative builds on efforts already under way to consolidate Bhutan’s geospatial information.
In August last year, the National Land Commission launched the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, the country’s first central platform for organising geospatial data. Until then, much of the information had been stored separately by different agencies and in varying formats, a practice that had previously contributed to delays and additional costs.
Officials said the benefits of the latest framework may not be immediately apparent to the public, but its long-term impact could be substantial.
Improved access to reliable information is expected to help authorities identify areas at risk of floods, landslides and other disasters, monitor environmental changes, plan agricultural activities and make more informed decisions on land use.
It could also help agencies determine suitable locations and designs for roads, buildings and other public infrastructure.
“If there is national planning where infrastructure is required to be built, it will become easier for government agencies to decide where this infrastructure needs to be built and how it needs to be built,” said Kiran Kumar Pradhan, chief programme officer with the Government Technology Agency.
He said the framework was intended to streamline coordination among agencies and ultimately improve services for citizens.
Bhutan presently depends largely on freely available satellite imagery provided through international sources. Officials, however, said such images may not always have the resolution, frequency or specifications required for the country’s particular needs.
Another challenge is the uneven level of technical capacity among government institutions.
While a few agencies have advanced expertise in analysing satellite imagery and developing remote-sensing applications, many others have limited experience in the field.
Pradhan said strengthening institutional capacity would therefore be one of the framework’s central priorities.
“Most of our agencies currently don’t have that competency. So that is an area we are trying to address through this framework by a coordinated approach and sharing of experience and knowledge,” he said.
Following the launch, participating agencies are expected to form technical working groups to guide implementation, coordinate activities and identify areas where specialised training or data may be required.
The framework will be reviewed every five years to ensure that it remains relevant to advances in technology and changes in Bhutan’s development priorities.
