GIS Based Planning and Monitoring of JFM Treatment Areas under JICA Assisted Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project

Abstract

Joint Forest Management (JFM) approach has been adopted by the Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project (OFSDP) to achieve twin objectives of restoration of degraded forests as well as improvement of livelihood of the forest dependent population through formation of the Vana Samrakshyana Samitis (VSS) facilitating community participation. The use of Remote Sensing, Differential GPS and GIS techniques helps in identification of degraded forests, generation of thematic data sets, data analysis and presentation of map based forestry information in scientific and contemporary methods. The process facilitates geo-referencing of the data sets to provide accurate map feature reference to the earth coordinates with sub-meter level of accuracy. The geo-database along with the GIS based map information system were utilized by the JFM project for preparation of the micro plan and also tracking/monitoring of the implementation of forestry development programmes and can be a evolved into a MRV system under REDD+. The system also facilitates periodic impact analysis through temporal analysis of the satellite images.