Haryana Forest Dept using GPS to map forests damaged in fire

Haryana Forest Department is mapping forests damaged by fire using Global Positioning System (GPS) and plans to use satellite pictures to evaluate changes in forest and plantation areas.
Management Information System and Geographical Information System were being developed by the department for better harnessing of accounts, administration, forest, wildlife and personnel management, state forest and environment minister, Ajay Singh Yadav said here today.
A Memorandum of Understanding for setting up geomatics facility and spatial information system had been signed between the department and the Haryana Space Application Centre, National Remote Sensing Centre and Indian Space Research Organization, Hyderabad, Yadav said.

Spatial data bases are being developed for Yamunanagar and Morni Forest divisions as a pilot project and training is being imparted in phased manner to employees for use of software and techniques for regularly maintaining the database, he said.
The Minister said, with a view to contain environment pollution caused by vehicles, a scheme called Extension Forestry on Farm Land along the highways, had been started.
"Under the scheme, plantation is being carried out by the department on farm lands along the highways in the shape of shelterbelts. The department and farmers will jointly protect these plantations for three years after which they will be handed over to the farmers.

"During the current year, the state government plans to spend Rs 9.5 crore on the scheme," he said.
Besides, another scheme 'Development of Agro-Forestry - Clonal and Non-Clonal' has been launched to encourage the practice of agro-forestry on farm lands, he added.