Bhuvan - Features, Significance, Criticism

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Mar 23, 2022, 9:34

Bhuvan is a geospatial application framework for multi-purpose end-users. It is a freeware program in which satellite images that are multi-sensor, multi-platform, and multi-temporal in nature can be seen in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D).

On 12th August 2009, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) released a beta version of Bhuvan, a web-based GIS application. Bhuvan serves as an ISRO Geoportal, providing a variety of services such as data visualization, free data downloads, thematic map display and analysis, hazard alerts, and project-specific GIS applications. In comparison to other Virtual Globe Software, Bhuvan provides comprehensive imaging of Indian locales with spatial resolutions up to 1 meter.

Features of Bhuvan

  • Bhuvan is a web-based Indian tool that allows users to browse a collection of map-based material whose utility content is primarily confined to Indian borders and is available in four languages (Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu).
  • ISRO satellite data has been analyzed to provide information on disaster-related thematic maps, agricultural, water resources, and land cover on Bhuvan.
  • Bhuvan has allowed the Indian government to host public geographic data as Information layers for public consumption and visualization.
  • Toll Information System for the National Highways Authority of India, Islands Information System for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Cultural Heritage Sites for the Ministry of Culture, etc., are examples of the Indian government departments that have facilitated the usage of Bhuvan's geospatial technologies.
  • Information on the Bhuvan platform is gathered through government sources or crowdsourcing.
  • High-resolution files are available for 177 cities, while 2.5m resolution photography covers the rest of the nation. Due to security obligations, no military sites in India are included in the photographs.
  • The National Remote Sensing Agency was a key contributor to the creation of this tool. To obtain the finest available pictures of India, ISRO used data from satellites such as Cartosat-1 and Cartosat-2.

Bhuvan Significance

The following are the key functions performed by Bhuvan:

  • Bhuvan can be used in real-time or replay mode with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.
  • Bhuvan enables the download of IRS data products as well as the consumption of themed datasets as OGC web services for geoprocessing.
  • Users can easily delineate routes, plot regions, check terrain profiles, and overlay photos using Bhuvan.
  • Bhuvan is extremely helpful to scientists since it opens up new opportunities for collaborative study using IRS geospatial data.
  • Bhuvan will benefit educators as well. Students can be transported virtually to a particular region and observe the geography, nearby areas, and so on.

Criticism of Bhuvan

Bhuvan customers have encountered a variety of issues since its genesis. These are as follows:

  • The Bhuvan site has been unreachable or extremely sluggish at times (due to low bandwidth and servers).
  • Users must register before using the product, and plug-ins up to 11 MB in size must be downloaded for the program to function.
  • Furthermore, the plug-in is only compatible with Windows and only Internet Explorer.
  • Layers are rendered unevenly, and pictures are occasionally entirely obscured.
  • Bhuvan claims to be able to capture photographs from a perceived altitude of 10 meters, although technical specialists are sceptical of the results.
  • If there are many places with the same name, Bhuvan is designed to offer multiple results so that users may pick the one they want. However, Bhuvan occasionally fails to return multiple results.

Note: The Bhuvan platform is improving and no longer requires logging in to view the maps.

Bhuvan is a national geo-portal that includes geospatial data, services, and analysis tools. It provides a wide range of functionality, including visualization of satellite imagery and maps and analysis.

The Bhuvan platform offers a variety of governance and other geospatial applications that are utilized by departments of the federal and state governments, as well as academia and industry.

More Current Affairs Topics
Longest Highway in IndiaLongest Highway in World
Longest River in IndiaLosar Festival
Lpg ReformsLunar Polar Exploration Lupex Mission
Madhubani PaintingMagur Fish
Maguri Motapung BeelMahaparinirvan Diwas

FAQs on Bhuvan

Q1. Which governmental body developed Bhuvan?

Ans. The Bhuvan was developed by ISRO in 2009.

Q2. When was Bhuvan launched?

Ans. Bhuvan was launched on 12th August 2009.

Q3. How many Indian cities are available to view in high-resolution on Bhuvan?

Ans. 177 cities can be viewed in high resolution on Bhuvan.

Q4. In how many languages is Bhuvan available?

Ans. Bhuvan is available in Four languages (Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu).