Detailed Project reports of LIDAR survey of forest areas released

Context:

Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change released the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of LiDAR-based survey of forest areas in ten states namely Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura.

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 generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.

Key facts 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.

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.