The International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" is a non-binding charter which provides for the charitable and humanitarian re-tasked acquisition of and transmission of space satellite data to relief organizations in the event of major disasters. Initiated by the European Space Agency and the French space agency CNES, currently 16 global space agencies including India’s ISRO are it’s members.
India, by virtue of being a member of the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ has received a satellite data related to the Assam floods from other member nations including France, Russia and China.
The objective of international Charter “Space and Major Disasters” are as follows-
1. By combining Earth observation assets from different space agencies, the Charter allows resources and expertise to be coordinated for rapid response to major disaster situations; thereby helping civil protection authorities and the international humanitarian
community.
2. This unique initiative is able to mobilise agencies around the world and benefit from their know-how and their satellites through a single access point that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and at no cost to the user.
3. Members and co-operating bodies join an international initiative to provide support to those in need following major disasters, and benefit from the wide distribution of data that the Charter offers.
4. The satellite data obtained by the Charter offers invaluable aid to the end-users – typically disaster relief organisations.
Space technologies are becoming increasingly vital to modern day disaster management activities-
1. Earth observation (EO) satellites provide images at various wavelengths that assist rapid- mapping in all phases of the disaster management cycle.
2. The launch of Resourcesat series and Cartosat series with much better imaging capabilities and frequent coverage has increased India's capability for managing disaster effect, particularly floods.
3. RISAT series satellites use Synthetic Aperture RADAR and there by having capabilities of imaging during both day& night and during adverse cloudy conditions (including flood and cyclone monitoring capabilities).
4. Satellites provide synoptic observations of the natural disasters at regular intervals that helps in better planning and management of disasters.
5. Disaster Management Support (DMS) Programme, comprehensively addresses various aspects of natural disasters in the country, using space based inputs.
6. ISRO disseminates relevant information in interactive geo-spatial domain through various geoportals like Bhuvan, National Database for Emergency Management and MOSDAC for the administrators to better understand the impact and for improved decision support.
7. ISRO provides the satellite based near real time information support to Central Ministries/Departments and State Ministries/Departments, prior during and after major natural disasters.
8. In addition, ISRO also provides capacity building in use of Space technology inputs in Disaster Management Support.
9. ISRO is actively involved with various other countries with regard to disaster management, through international frameworks, such as, International Charter ‘Space’s Major Disasters’, Sentinel Asia, UNESCAP and so on.
Constant developments in space technology have led to improved capabilities to support disaster management. The emergency communication, navigation, remote sensing and subsequent warning systems and rescue operations have become an inherent part of disaster management. Satellite imageries do play an important role as they can be used to identify the affected areas, estimating the extent of damage and chalk out the rescue strategy.
Q2
Good answer.
Its nice to see that you linked the answer with the current affairs by mentioning why it was in news recently.
The discussion is apt and informative.
All in all nice attempt.
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Hi Divya
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Good intro.
The balance of the answer is off.
Because the 1st part of the question: objective of international Charter “Space and Major Disasters” is not dealt with with much depth and coverage.
You have to discuss this part like you did with the 2nd part of the question.
The 2nd part is detailed, well structured, well explained and has enough depth.
Good that you divided the overall use into two segments and discussed India’s efforts separately.
Decent concluding statement.
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You have all the necessary ingredients in terms of content but your lack of presentation skills and weak structuring makes them tasteless.
Again I would say, use all the three pages.
Maintain distance between points and paragraphs.
Highlight the subheadings and important points in the answer.
Use bullet format and flow chart for more discussion.
You have the ability to understand the question which means the 1st castle has been conquered.
See how other students have covered their answers in terms of structure and presentation.
q2
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The flow of the answer is good.
You have discussed all the important points.
To make it better, you can mention “Resourcesat series and Cartosat series” satellites in the 2nd part of your answer.
Good conclusion.
All in all, decent attempt.
Not checked
Sourav avoid using lengthy paragraphs as well as lengthy sentences.
For example your second paragraph is huge and at the same time it has only statement right from the start till end.
This is a wrong practice and you have to have some economy of language.
Try to be brief but comprehensive. That is why bullet points are considered best in mains examinations.
When you have three pages to write answers then no point using only 1.25 pages.
Flowcharts are helpful when you have lot to discuss but less space to manage. But here you could have discussed the 2nd part of the answer in detailed manner.
Try to be consistent with your answers. On the same day some of your answers are really good while some swing on the verge of being general. Consistency is the key to gain maximum marks in UPSC mains.
You have the content: just elaborate and present them in better manner.
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Good answer.
The balance is good.
Though you need to start going deep with your points now. You have the skills to write good answer but you are falling short of that.
Give 7 8 points rather than giving 4 points. That is called depth of the topic.
You can mention “Resourcesat series and Cartosat series” satellites in the 2nd part of your answer.
Good conclusion.
Start using subheadings.