The Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department is set to integrate advanced technology to monitor tree felling, sources familiar with the matter have revealed. This initiative follows a Supreme Court hearing regarding a contempt plea over the illegal felling of over 1,100 trees in the southern Ridge, a notified forest area managed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The Supreme Court has directed the forest department and Delhi’s Tree Authority (DTA) to maintain vigilant oversight of tree felling activities.
LiDaR Technology for Tree Monitoring
To adhere to the Supreme Court's directive, the Delhi Forest Department is considering employing LiDaR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. LiDaR, a remote sensing method using lasers to measure distances and create 3D maps, will be used to map Delhi's green areas and monitor tree felling over time. This technology is currently being utilized to map Delhi’s geo-morphological Ridge.
A senior forest official, preferring anonymity, stated, "In theory, it is possible to map all green cover using LiDaR technology as it highlights all features in an area, including shape and elevation changes. If a tree is cut, the technology can identify the specific area where it occurred."
Potential Geo-Tagging and Real-Time Monitoring
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is already formulating a management plan for the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. Another option under consideration is geo-tagging all trees, although this approach would require substantial time and financial investment.
A second forest official mentioned that the department is exploring real-time alert systems for immediate notification of tree felling incidents. “The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has a real-time mechanism that alerts them if a tree is felled or if there is a fire in a designated area, using satellite technology. We may need to explore a similar model,” the official said.
The department is currently evaluating the costs associated with different technologies before making a final decision.
Increasing Eco Task Force Personnel
In an effort to enhance ground vigilance, the Delhi government deployed the territorial army's Eco Task Force (ETF) in 2000-01 to restore and rehabilitate over 2,100 acres of the southern Ridge. Plans are underway to increase the number of ETF personnel from 200 to around 400-450. These additional members will be deployed in other forest areas of Delhi, including the Yamuna floodplains.
Call for Transparency and Vigilance
Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari emphasized the need for greater on-ground vigilance and transparency within the forest department. “Despite multiple court orders in the past, the forest department still does not display any data on the number of tree felling permissions granted for any forest division in Delhi. Similarly, there is no data on tree pruning. Until there is transparency and a robust mechanism for public complaints, such technology will not be fully effective,” she said.
Conclusion
The Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department’s exploration of advanced technologies like LiDaR and satellite monitoring systems signifies a proactive approach to environmental conservation. However, the successful implementation of these technologies will require transparency, public engagement, and robust ground-level vigilance to ensure the protection of Delhi’s green cover.
