Aruna Technology Ltd. arranged for the acquisition of IKONOS imagery over an 18km x 22 km area around and including Phnom Penh. Aruna collected ground control points in the field using decimeter DGPS systems and ortho-referenced the imagery and processed it for use in ordinary image processing software systems and printed a large-format map for the client, Canadia Bank.

Aruna was contracted by NTPC to evaluate the change in forest cover in the Nakai Plateau in Southern Laos and the biomass of the area to be inundated within the plateau by the planned Nam Theun 2 hydropower project. Historical LandSAT imagery from 1973, 1989, 1996 and 2003 along with additional data including aerial photography and SPOT satellite imagery, GIS data, maps and reports were used to estimate the change in forest cover between the different time periods. The 2003 image was stratified and analyzed to better estimate the land cover categories in the inundation area to provide a basis for estimation of the biomass of the area to be flooded. Field sampling work and ground truthing on site verified the analyses and provided a basis for the estimation of the biomass based on land cover categories and areas. All results were presented in reports and maps as well as classified satellite imagery and GIS data on CDs to the client.

Aruna Technology Ltd. was one of a team of consultants implementing a pilot project under the Earth Observation Applications Development Programme (EOADP) of the Canadian Space Agency. The project seeks to refine existing applications and develop new applications for using RADARSAT imagery for environmental monitoring and management in the Mekong River basin. The project acquired airborne Sideways Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery with several characteristics that are being considered for the next generation of the RADARSAT satellite and compared the data with information from the current RADARSAT satellite and other sensors. The remote sensing data was ground-truthed and conclusions drawn on what can be discerned by varying the polarization and resolution of the radar signal. The data was examined in the context of its use in identifying and delineating seasonal floodplains, flooded forest and environmental 'hotspots' in the Lower Mekong Basin. In addition, the project further develops environmental sensitivity assessment and mapping techniques and contributes to overall technology transfer and training of MRC staff.

Aruna Technology Ltd. arranged for the acquisition of LandSAT7 and Indian Resource Satellite (IRS) imagery from the 1999-2000 dry season and geo-referenced it and processed it for use in ArcView GIS systems. The imagery will form the basis for evaluating the remaining forest cover and likely habitat in the wildlife reserve in Western Battambang and for discussions with local villagers on natural resource management, village land use planning and agriculture in the project area.

The floods of the year 2000 were the most severe in many years, with an estimated return period of greater than 50 years. The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) were charged with the responsibility for flood protection and control and were a leading agency within the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM). Accordingly, they required immediate information about the flood extent and affected areas. Aruna Technology Ltd., as distributor for RADARSAT data for Cambodia, were able to program emergency acquisition of radar satellite imagery describing the flooded area for the entire affected region at the peak of the flood. The data was downloaded over the internet, processed and provided in hard and soft copy to the MOWRAM within 48 hours. This data formed a key piece of information for use in emergency response and was used to inform the Prime Minister of the situation in the country.

Aruna Technology Ltd. carried out a pilot project with the United Nations World Food Programme that demonstrated the utility of RADARSAT radar satellite imagery for flood monitoring and mapping in 1997-1998. The pilot work included the precision ortho-rectification of 8 radar satellite images (standard beam mode) around the Mekong River from Kratie Province to Prey Veng Province. The images were processed through application of different filters and algorithms to produce maps showing the locations where flooding was a concern at the different times when the images were acquired. The imagery was also compared with the imagery and datasets produced by the GIS unit of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife to assess its utility for monitoring logging.

Aruna Technology Ltd. arranged for the acquisition of LandSAT7 and SPOT5 satellite imagery in various locations for use in environmental management (BPAMP), participatory land use planning (LMAP) and for environmental impact assessment of a national road rehabilitation (Georgia). Aruna collected ground control points in the field using sub-meter DGPS systems and ortho-referenced the imagery and processed it for use in ArcView GIS and AutoCAD software systems.

Aruna Technology Ltd. was requested to provide rapid and accurate re-georeferencing of 17 archived RADARSAT satellite images covering Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam for the Mekong River Commission. These images had been previously geo-referenced to an inaccurate data set and so didn't match with the other imagery in their archive. The project was required within a very short timeframe, including the installation of image processing software and training of MRC staff in its use.