Abstract

Application of traditional aerial survey technologies for topographic mapping purposes has a number of principal problems. The most serious problem is definitely impossibility of automatic use of classical stereo-photogrammetry methods in cases of complex terrain, the areas with no visual texture and so on. With an increasing demand of digital maps representing the real world on one side and the strong debate on how to make the availability of the geo-data simple, force us to find out the better solutions. Digital Modular Camera will be a requirement for the coming years. The growing worldwide acceptance of digital orthophotos has understood this need.

The idea of this study was developed due to the high demand of digital ortho-photo covering the giant well-known peaks and their surroundings by many adventure groups from all over the world. Many trekking and expedition teams are expecting digital orthophoto and consequently 3D animation of the highest peak and possible trekking routes, camping sites and information on how difficult the routes may be.

Physical isolation has excluded the mountains and their populations from development, resulting in political and economic marginality. Mountain people suffer from unemployment, poverty, poor health, and insufficient sanitation. Among the world’s mountain areas, Asia contains the largest, highest, and most populated mountain systems. More than 250 million people live in mountain and upland areas. Another one billion people downstream are affected by mountain conditions.

This project aims to be an example to contribute to environmental stability and poverty reduction in the mountain chain extending over 3,500 km, the home of over 250 million inhabitants and encompassing the mountain areas of parts or all of Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. Nepal is a true Himalayan kingdom. It is home to some of the highest, remotest, most rugged and most difficult terrain in the world. The loftiest peak in the world, Mount Everest, together with other high peaks, plus the presence of some exquisitely beautiful trekking routes, attract hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world to this lovely Himalayan destination.

Photogrammetry has the advantages of acquiring information about a large area very efficiently and cost effectively. Especially for inaccessible areas, photogrammetry is far more superior than traditional ground survey. In recent years, inexpensive computers and advance of computer technologies contributed to the rapid development of digital photogrammetry (Dowman et al., 1992; Heipke, 1995). Successful implementation of digital photogrammetric workstation in mapping have been found in various disciplines (Chen et al., 1998; Skalet et al., 1992).

In this context, to furnish geo-data, where there is no easy access, for the development and planning purpose, digital photogrammetry is the best technology available these days and is chosen for the same purpose.

The problems such as image orientation and matching to generate accurate DTM and its photo realistic 3D model on high mountainous region and the possible solutions shall be addressed here.

This paper highlights the results of the conventional photogrammetry and the possible advantages of digital photogrammetry over these and also the problems, issues and implications during digital Photogrammetric processing of high mountainous region in Asia.