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The National Centre of Remote Sensing and
Forest Cover Observation (CENATEL) in Benin
CENATEL Tel.: ..229-330380, ..229-330662 FAX: ..229-331956 06 BP 711 Cotonou, Benin cenatel@bow.intnet.bj
The CENATEL was founded in 1988. Its mission is to create spatial data and geographical documents on questions related to natural resource management in order to aid institutions which are charged with these questions. The services of the Centre are supplied on demand. Quality, effectiveness and satisfaction of the aims of clients are major objectives in order to serve the public and continuity of the Centre.
A unique know how
CENATEL has a broad experience in numeric and analogous processing of satellite data. Experience in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) covers a vast number of application on different subjects like natural resources, human health etc.. An environmental survey system established by CENATEL allows to estimate the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the dynamic of the vegetation cover. In addition CENATEL realises the processing and classification of aerial photographs from all kind of sources.
CENATEL periodically organises workshops for the formation of its clients. Responding to a steadily growing demand in the field of remote sensing and GIS, CENATEL offers the necessary technical equipment and a photo processing laboratory.
Well trained staff for the processing and the interpretation of spatial data work with performing and adapted hardware and software. Thus CENATEL is an essential partner for all institutions working on natural resource management.
Due to the quality of its services, the MARISY price was attributed to the Centre in 1995 during a continental wide competition.
A centre of thematic applications
The applications cover the following subjects:
- Environment : environmental surveys, repetitive studies etc.
- Urban settlements (expansion of village surfaces)
- Improvement of watershed management
- Water resources management
- Forest resources data distribution
- Planning and evaluation of natural resources etc.
CENATEL : A satellite information management centreThe Centre acts as a regional distribution centre for satellite data. Contracts are established with SPOT, EOSAT etc.. A constant data base has been created for easier and faster access. Satellite data can be delivered with different media and formats like CD, EXABYTES etc..
Action for sustainable development
During the last ten years CENATEL has become a reference centre in West Africa. Due to its skills, equipment and experience its name is closely connected to all natural resource management actions. Due to its mission CENATEL has contributed to the development of remote sensing techniques and to their distribution by organising seminars and workshop in order to sensitise the staff of clients.
CENATEL contributes to the development by making remote sensing and GIS-techniques available to the all kind of users, especially those engaged in natural resource management. As examples the data bases on protected forest areas and valley systems are stated here.
Applications and projects
CENATEL has realised a number of projects integrating remote sensing and GIS. As examples are mentioned here:
On demand CENATEL offers all kinds of applications.
- Mapping of the forest cover and study of the forest morphology in Goungoun Sota.
- Mapping of the land use in the framework of the rural development plan in the Mono province.
- Survey of the fire wood consumption around the bigger settlements in Benin in collaboration with the WWF.
- GIS-application system for the management of valley systems.
Regional collaboration
CENATEL takes part in a number of regional projects and activities like the “Consortium Bas-Fonds” and the “Grand Ecosystème Martin du Golfe de Guinée” project where GIS-applications are used for the development of management strategies of these humid zones.
Equipment
GIS-programmes
ARC VIEW
ATLAS GIS
ERDAS IMAGINEPublishing equipment
OCE GRAPHIC PRINTER
EPSON STYLUS 1500
TECHTRONICS.