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Abstract
Application of GIS and Remote Sensing Technology in preparation of Working Plans and creation of related database in the State of Maharashtra, India”
Ramanuj Choudhary
Chief Conservator of Forest
Forest Deptt, M.S.,
Email: craman123@rediffmail.com
Abstract
The State of Maharashtra, India, is endowed with rich biodiversity and high value forests. These forests are managed through Working Plans, a document which remain operational for 10 to 20 years and is prepared after field study for 2 to 3 years about the growth of trees in forests. Traditionally the field staff has to visit distant forest areas and the data collected has to be relied upon fully and used for projection of work estimates of future yields. The details of the areas to be worked annually in different areas were shown on large scale SOI toposheets to be used as reference maps by the ground staff.
The introduction of GIS techniques in 1997 in preparation of Working Plans in Maharashtra, facilitated preparation of database and creation of management maps which could be stored in digital form and were easily accessible for viewing, revision, analysis of data and even comparison of the status of growing stock, density and forest covers. The linking of Geo-spatial data of administrative units like compartments, registered on a map in GIS environment to the database captured in the field could be a potential tool for taking management decisions regarding harvesting and projection of expenditure and revenue.
The GIS and RS technology are Sine qua non for advancement of scientific management in forestry sector to encourage use of GIS, in-house digitization of SOI toposheets of larger scale should be permitted for vital sectors like forestry and wildlife. A target could be fixed for having entire forestry resources in the country in a digital database which could be made available to various sectors engaged in planning, management and protection of forests. This is significant as it is feared that the world is loosing forests and valuable wildlife species and plant species at a faster rate.
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