To safeguard India’s rich heritage and promote tourism, two satellite-based technological interventions have been introduced on Bhuvan, a geo-platform developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation. These applications, Spatial Technologies (Kasturi) and Bharat Darshan, offer detailed information on cultural and tourist sites while enabling real-time monitoring of encroachment and damage.
The platform integrates data on protected sites listed by UNESCO, the Archaeological Survey of India, state archaeological departments, and the Ministry of Culture. Currently, Bharat Darshan covers 42 UNESCO-recognised locations, while Kasturi provides insights into 20 cultural and heritage landscapes, with plans to expand further.
Launched during the User Interaction Meet-2026 in Hyderabad, these tools were developed collaboratively by the National Remote Sensing Centre, National Institute of Advanced Studies, the Ministry of Culture, and ISRO. By combining satellite imagery, GPS coordinates, historic maps, and field data, the platform creates a comprehensive and interactive database.
Notably, Kasturi serves as India’s first curated geospatial gateway, allowing users to explore cultural and ecological patterns across landscapes. This initiative marks a significant step in leveraging space technology for heritage conservation, ensuring better preservation while enhancing public access and tourism awareness.
