MalaysiaGIS.com

Cyberjaya, Sun. - The Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (Macres) is developing a technology to enable satellites to detect illegal logging and forest fires in any kind of weather.

Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Law Hieng Ding said it was being jointly developed with the Multimedia University (MMU).

Unlike conventional optical wave satellites which are hindered by thick clouds and haze, satellite processing the microwave remote sensing technology could be used in any kind of weather and at night.

Law added that some illegal clearing of forests could not be detected if the area was cloudy or if the canopy blocked the view.

"Macres and MMU are developing this technology to suit local conditions."

Law said this after launching the First Microwave Remote Sensing Seminar at MMU's campus here yesterday.

Earlier in his speech, he said Macres had sought the assistance of the United States' National Aeronautical Space Agency, European Space Agency and Japan to develop the technology.

"Through technology transfer programmes, we have managed to train experts in the processing and analysis of radar data," he added.

Although more efficient, Law said the technology was more expensive. He said he expected the technology to be used here soon.

He added that microwave remote sensing could also be used to predict the yield of paddy in specific locations as the sensors were sensitive to humidity.

More than 100 academicians, heads of government departments and experts from Macres were present.

Also there were Macres director Nik Nasruddin Mahmood and MMU president Prof Ghauth Jasmon.