Use of Remote Sensing and GIS in Assessment of TOF-A Case Study from Punjab, India

An accurate assessment of forest and tree resources in the country is essential for formulating sound strategy for effective planning of forest/tree resources of the country. Although forest resources are routinely assessed but data and information on Trees Outside Forests (TOF) are still sketchy and fragmented. The significance of trees outside forests (TOF) in livelihood of rural people both economically and ecologically is well understood. Besides this, TOF also acts as important source for timber and fuel wood, contributes in carbon sequestration and conservation of biodiversity, provides habitat for wildlife, microclimate stabilization, etc. Trees Outside Forests (TOF), exist in the form of small woodlots and block plantations, trees along linear features such as roads, canals, bunds, etc. and scattered trees on farmlands, homesteads, community lands and urban areas. Arrangement, distribution and density of trees outside forests are quite different from forests and as such, application of the conventional inventory methods for assessment of TOF becomes difficult and time consuming. Remote sensing methodology appears quite handy for the purpose of identification and stratification of the TOF resources in a district (administrative unit) into block, linear and scattered stratum on the basis of geometrical formation. High-resolution satellite imageries (e.g., IKONOS, QuickBird, etc.) provide information even up to identification of a single tree but these are cost prohibitive. The IRS P6 LISS III data (multi spectral with resolution of 23.5m´23.5m) provides information on vegetation cover and tree canopies for patches larger than one hectare. However, by using LISS-III fused with IRS PAN data (monochromatic but with much higher resolution of 5.8m´5.8m) one can identify a tree vegetated land as small as 0.1 ha. The state of Punjab is located in North-Western part of India. It is primarily an agricultural state with only six percent of its geographical area as notified forest area. However, a significant proportion of tree wealth of the state lies outside the notified forest area, which plays a significant role in the livelihood of the rural people. To formulate an effective and sustainable plan for management of this resource (TOF), it was felt by the Punjab Forest Department that proper assessment of this wealth of tress resources be carried out. Forest Survey of India took up the task of assessment of the TOF resources of the state using remote sensing based methodology. The paper highlights the methodology used for assessment of both rural and urban TOF and analyses the results obtained such as distribution of different tree species in different diameter class, their numbers and volume, information on availability of potential areas for plantations is each districts etc. which is very important for sustainable development of tree resources at the district and state level.