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Selection of least cost paths for extraction of Forest Produce using Remote Sensing and GIS - A case study of Andhra Pradesh Forest Dept. India
A Rama Murthy
Forest Range Officer (GIS)
O/o The Prl. Chief Conservator of Forests, Andhra Pradesh, Aranya Bhaan, Hyderabad
Email: murthyar@rediffmail.com
Abstract
Harvesting of Forest produce has been a major activity to realize revenue for the government and proper utilization of the matured crop. While extracting the forest produce the economic viability of the extraction has to be looked into to maximize the profits keeping the market value and extraction cost in view. Transportation to the forest produce from the extraction points to the selected depots takes a major share of extraction costs. The objective of the present study is to identify the least cost paths to extract bamboo, in Kollapur sub division of Achampet forest division, to lay new roads where there are no existing ones from selected points andto compare costs if morepaths exists. In the present study an attempt has been made to find out various alternatives of the extraction paths from each coupe to the selected depot, taking landuse/landcover, slope, and drainages, rivers, existing roads, and their condition, bridges, into consideration. The Indian Road Congress( IRC) guidelines were considered in gradient selection. The analysis was carried out using Remote Sensing and GIS, The resistances offered by the different landuse/landcover units, slope, and drains are appropriately weighted through filed investigations and costs assigned. The results revealed that RS/GIS offers effective tools that can be used in planning roads/railway lines, electric lines, pipe lines etc. if the various resistances are quantified with experience and results are used cautiously.
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