About the training In collaboration with the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), we are organizing this five-day training as part of our institutional capacity building approach. The training will cover topics on microwave remote sensing, theory and concepts of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging systems, SAR polarimetry, data types, scope and applications of SAR in Bangladesh, searching and accessing SAR data, processing techniques, visualization, information extraction, interpretation and analysis, and carbon estimation. Objectives The training aims to provide participants with theoretical and practical knowledge in using SAR data and applications to estimate above-ground forest biomass and forest carbon. Expected outcomes Upon completion of the training, the participants will have a better understanding of the concepts and general applications of SAR remote-sensing data and their potential and limitations. The training will enable participants to extract information from SAR observations and develop an above-ground forest carbon estimation model. Expected participants The course will bring together participants having basic knowledge and experience of remote sensing from BFD and ICIMOD. Background Forest biomass is an essential variable for assessing carbon sequestration and carbon balance in forest ecosystems. Therefore, accurate estimation of forest biomass is crucial for studying the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems over large areas. Usually, forest biomass is estimated and monitored by conventional field measurements or remote sensing methods, and biomass calculations based on actual field measurements for a small forest stand are considered accurate. However, field-based measurements for computing forest biomass at the national scale are not feasible, as they are costly, labour intensive, and time consuming. Remote sensing-based methods, particularly the SAR microwave imaging system with cloud-penetrating and all-day data acquisition capabilities, provide viable alternatives to effectively measure and monitor forest biomass and forest carbon at national scales. Resource persons Rajesh Bahadur Thapa Senior Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Specialist/Science and Data Lead, ICIMOD Kabir Uddin GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist/Group Lead, ICIMOD, Sajana Maharjan Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Analyst, ICIMOD Tentative agenda DAY 1 – SUNDAY, 27 MARCH 2022 Time Topic 09:15–09:30 Registration 09:30–10:20 Opening session Welcome remarks – Zaheer Iqbal, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Resource Information Management System (RIMS) Unit, BFD Introduction of participants Remarks – Basanta Shrestha, Director of Strategic Cooperation, ICIMOD Opening remarks – Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests, BFD Welcome and training overview – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD Training pre-assessment 10:20–10:50 Group photo followed by tea break 10:50–11:50 Concept of microwave remote sensing – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD 11:50–13:00 Hands-on exercises – Sajana Maharjan and Kabir Uddin, ICIMOD Accessing SAR data and software tools – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD Software installation and demonstration – Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP), ArcGIS 13:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–16:30 Afternoon session 14:00–15:15 Hands-on exercises – session continued (downloading SAR data) 15:15-15:30 Tea break 15:30-16:30 Hands-on exercises – session continued Reflections of the day DAY 2 – MONDAY, 28 MARCH 2022 Time Topic 09:15–13:00 Morning session 09:15–10:15 Concepts and benefits of polarimetric SAR – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD 10:15–10:45 Tea break 10:45–13:00 Hands-on exercises –Sajana Maharjan and Kabir Uddin, ICIMOD Exploration and visualization of data in ArcGIS and SNAP Understanding SAR data Microwave data processing: Calibration, multilooking, radiometrically terrain-correct (RTC) 13:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–16:30 Afternoon session 14:00-15:15 Hands-on exercises – session continued 15:15–15:30 Tea break 15:30-16:30 Hands-on exercises – session continued DAY 3 – TUESDAY, 29 MARCH 2022 Time Topic 09:15–13:00 Morning session 09:15–10:15 SAR missions and applications – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD 10:15–10:45 Tea break 10:45–13:00 Hands-on exercises –Sajana Maharjan, Rajesh Bahadur Thapa and Kabir Uddin, ICIMOD Image stacking and visualization Colour interpretation with field data Information extraction, interpretation, and analysis 13:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–16:30 Afternoon session 14:00–15:30 Hands-on exercises – session continued 15:30–15:45 Tea break 15:45–16:30 Hands-on exercises – session continued DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 2022 Time Topic 09:15–13:00 Morning session 09:15–10:15 Hands-on exercises – Sajana Maharjan and Kabir Uddin, ICIMOD Forest carbon model building using SAR 10:15–10:45 Tea break 10:45–13:00 Hands-on exercises – session continued 13:00–14:00 Lunch break 14:00–16:30 Afternoon session 13:00–15:30 Hands-on exercises – session continued 15:30–15:45 Tea break 15:45–16:30 Hands-on exercises – session continued DAY 5 – THURSDAY, 31 MARCH 2022 Time Topic 09:15–13:00 Morning session 09:15–11:30 Hands-on exercises –Sajana Maharjan and Kabir Uddin, ICIMOD Forest carbon model fitting and mapping 11:30–12:00 Tea break 12:00–13:00 Closing session Reflection from participants Remarks – Birendra Bajracharya, Chief of Party – SERVIR-HKH, ICIMOD Remarks – Basanta Shrestha, ICIMOD Certificate distribution Closing remarks by Md. Amir Hosain Chowdhury, BFD Vote of thanks by Zaheer Iqbal, BFD