Kabir Uddin

GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist
Strategic Group 2: Shaping Green and Resilient Mountain Economies
SG2 – Action Area D (AAD): Restoring and Regenerating Landscapes

My role at ICIMOD

I have fourteen years of professional experience at ICIMOD playing a lead role in the field of environmental and biodiversity management for land cover mapping and change detection and modelling; disaster risk reduction by rapid flood inundation mapping and damage assessment using RADAR and optical images. As a remote sensing specialist, I help identify, procure, rectify, and analyze very-high-to-medium resolution satellite imagery for ICIMOD’s internal programmes and initiatives. I also supervise and coordinate various aspects of GIS and remote sensing work; prepare manuscripts for publishing in peer review journals; prepare training manuals on mapping land cover, glaciers, flood hazards and flood shelter suitability; and conduct training in the HKH countries. During the flood disaster events, I also analyze optical and RADAR remote sensing data for rapid flood inundation mapping and damage assessment systems. My work as a land cover application lead, building the Regional Land Cover Monitoring System is in close collaboration with the United States Foresty Service (USFS), Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), The University of Maryland (UMD), and forest departments in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal generates consistency in land cover mapping on an annual basis.

Kabir Uddin

Q:

How do you protect the pulse of the planet?

A:

Assessment of land cover dynamics is essential for the sustainable management of natural resources, environmental protection, and food security and environmental-economic accounting and I protect the pulse of the planet through my contributions to understanding these dynamics across the HKH.

Q:

What is your favorite part of the work you do at ICIMOD?

A:

It is always fascinating to work at ICIMOD as we develop baseline land cover information that helps national agencies and researchers on a broad range of environmental issues. ICIMOD provides an appropriate platform to learn and exchange knowledge on remote sensing and geospatial tools for environmental management.

Q:

What are you passionate about?

A:

I love to visit landscapes and take photos, especially to detect change through repeat photos.

Q:

My qualifications

A:

I am a Bangladeshi national with 21 years working experience in geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) applications in the field of environmental management. I hold an MSc in Geography and Environmental Studies and a BSc (Hons) in Geography and Environmental Studies, both from the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

I have previous work experience with Development Design Consultants Ltd for the Rajshahi City Town Planning Project, where I comprehensively used modern technologies in town planning and the Local Government Engineering Department, Bangladesh as a GIS expert.

Articles by Kabir