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GIS Applications in Forest Resource Management Prospects & Potentials

Rajiv Kumar Garg
Rajiv Kumar Garg
Conservator of Forests
UP Forest Department
17, Rana Pratap Marg,
Lucknow, India – 226001
Ph: +91-522-2207982
E-mail: rajivshobhit@hotmail.com


I. Introduction
India is one of the 12 mega diversity countries having vast variety of flora and fauna, commanding 7% of World's biodiversity and supports 16 major forest types, varying from alpine pastures in Himalayas to temperature, sub-tropical forests and mangroves in the coastal areas. According to the State of Forest Report, published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) in 2001, India has a forest cover of 675,538 km2 or 20.55% of the total geographic area of the country. Of this, dense forest constitutes 416,809 km2 (12.68%), and open forest 258,729 km2 (7.87%). The total forest and tree cover of the country is estimated as 757,010 km2 or 23.03% of the total geographic area of the country. We have a vast and rich forest resource in our country and there is an urgent need to manage this resource on scientific sustainable basis.

II. Principles of Forest Resource Management (FRM) in India
The National Forest Policy, 1988 guides the management and conservation of forests in India. Thus it is essential to understand this Policy and then to derive the objectives of FRM in our country.

1. National Forest Policy, 1988:
India's National Forest Policy, 1988 fully recognizes the contribution of forests in maintaining essential ecological processes and life support systems and in preserving genetic diversity. Forests are regarded as national assets to be protected and enhanced for the well being of the people and the nation. While emphasizing the need to cover at least one third of the land area of the country with forest or tree cover, the policy recognizes the need for greater involvement of local communities in the management of forest resources.

The services rendered by forests can be listed as follows:
  1. Protection of soil and water resources, and regulation of hydrologic flow.
  2. Conservation of biological diversity and gene pool.
  3. Support to agricultural productivity and sustainability.
  4. Carbon sequestration and mitigation of global warming.
  5. Combating desertification and resources degradation.
  6. Providing shade, amenity and recreation.
  7. Protecting hilly and coastal areas.
2.Objectives of FRM:
With this preamble, the essentials of forest resource management can be defined as given below:
  1. To achieve the optimum development of forest resources for attaining the overall goal of sustainable development.
  2. Managing forest resource to meet present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
  3. Restoring damaged ecologies.
  4. To develop and strengthen the stakes of the local community in the management of forest resources.
  5. To optimize the environmental service rendered by forests.
  6. First charge on the productivity of the forests should be of the local people for their essential livelihood needs. However, the need for conservation of biological diversity should not be compromised.
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