Context

The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of LiDAR-based survey of forest areas was released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change released.

• The study was conducted in ten states namely Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura.

About

About the LIDAR survey of forest areas

• The project study is awarded by WAPCOS, a PSU under the aegis of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) were formed using the LiDAR technology.
• The DPR’s were produced using LiDAR technology in which the 3-D(three-dimensional) DEM (Digital Elevation Model), imagery, and layers of the project areas are used.

Outcomes of the Study

• WAPCOS with the participation of State Forest Departments identified one major ridge inside a forest block in these states with average area of 10,000 ha selected in each State.
• The areas have been selected for the preparation of Detailed Project Reports for planning and identifying locations and structures for construction of appropriate and feasible micro soil and water conservation structures consistent with site specific geography, topography and soil characteristics.
• States/UTs identified one major ridge inside a forest block with the criteria that area selected should have average rainfall of the state, and the area requires assisted natural generation which means the density of forests should be less than 0.4 or below, but should have reasonable potential to regenerate with the ANR interventions.
• The sites that have been selected are ones which are slightly degraded, and the states have identified these so that water and fodder augmentation projects, as well as afforestation, can be carried out in the identified site.

Significance of study:

• The project will help augment water and fodder in jungles areas. It will -
  • reduce human-animal conflict
  • help in groundwater recharge
  • help local communities
  • state forest departments to use CAMPA funds
  • The project reports will help recommend the micro soil and water conservation structures consistent with site-specific geography, topography, and soil characteristics.
  • It will recommend different types of Soil & Water conservation structures such as Anicut, Gabion, Gully Plug, Mini percolation tank, Percolation Tank, Field bund, Sunken pond, Farm pond, etc.
  • These structures will help in catching the rainwater and prevent stream runoff, which will help in recharging Groundwater.
  • The study is highly accurate with around 90% of accuracy.

What is LiDAR technology? Lidar stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It is a remote sensing method. It uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system — generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics. Application of Lidar system: It allows scientists and mapping professionals to examine both natural and manmade environments with accuracy, precision, and flexibility.