0765 - B1
B. S. Chaudhary, A. Beniwal & V.S. Arya 1
Study on mapping and sustainable forest management in Rewari district was carried out to map the forest cover areas, crown density analysis of reserved forests and potential afforestation sites. IRS 1B LISS II data was used and visual image analysis techniques were employed. The study area covers 1559 sq. km and consists of tropical thorn forest with some tropical dry deciduous species. Forests covers 3587 ha. area of the district. These are classified into three categories- closed forest, open forest, and block plantations. The study concluded that area occupied by different potential afforestation sites was 13069 ha., which constitute 8.36% of total area. These mainly comprise of scrubland, degraded pasture, degraded block plantation, sands and rocky/ gravelly lands. Major causes identified for low forest cover are arid climatic conditions, scarcity of water and poor soils. Man made reasons for forest degradation are over grazing, soil erosion, unauthorized cutting of trees. To protect existing forest and social forestry plantations: fencing, effective watch and ward staff, causalty replacement and educating rural masses about forest are recommended. Certain tree species suitable for afforestation have been recommended.
A forest is more than an area covered by trees because it includes smaller plants, animals, soil and water. In Indian context, forests are traditional abode of holy man: the Rishis, the Acharyas, the Hermits and the Monks, who through the ages, have produced a forest culture by living in huts along rivers, streams and on Himalayan heights. The area under forest in India is about 75 million ha.(Mha) constituting 23% of total Geographical area. This is very less against 33% forest cover according to Indian National Forest Policy. However, national level forest mapping carried out by Forest Survey of India (FSI) using 1985-87 satellite data shows 64.01 Mha of actual forest. This corresponds to 19.47% of India's total geographical area. Total forest cover in Haryana state is 2.75%, which is extremely low. However 7.26% of wastelands in the state can be brought under afforestation scheme. In spite of such an acute imbalance, for any new demand of land, the forests are the only targets. Needless to say that forests which are base to ecological security are facing the danger of extinction.
With the advent of remote sensing, the scope of effective planning and management of natural resources has considerably widened. The use of satellite data permits timely and accurate information on very short repetitive cycles needed for monitoring. It is observed that remotely sensed data can meet many of the information needs for proper forest management in short time and at low cost. Methodologies have been developed towards this end by various authors (Franklin and Peddle 1984; Tiwari, 1990; Kandya et al 1992; Kaur et al 1994; Dhaliwal et al 1995, chaudhary et al 1999 and Babu et al 2002).
Rewari district lies in southwestern part of Haryana, India, which extends from 27° 57' north to 28° 17' north latitude and from 76° 51' east to 76° east longitude. Area comprises of various terrain classes such as sandy plain, sand dunes, old flood plains with occasional hillocks. Geologically the rocks in the area belong to Ajabgarh series of Delhi system and traverse western part of district roughly in southwest to northeast direction. Sandy plains have scattered pattern of stabilized to partially stabilized sand dunes due to sand deposition from southwesterly winds coming from adjacent Rajasthan desert. Sahibi is the only inland stream in the district. Some ephemeral streams originate near hillocks and peters out in the nearby sandy plains.
Soils of the district fall under Entisols and Inceptisols soil orders. The surface soil texture varies from sandy to fine loamy sand in the aeolian plains whereas it ranges from sandy loam to loam in fluvial low lands. In fluvial low lands the soils are heavier in texture, well to moderately drained and with slight erosion.
The climatic conditions of district vary from arid to semi-arid sub tropical, continental and monsoonic. The district has an average annual rainfall of 446 mm. The summer months are very hot with maximum temperature ranging from 41°C to 46°C in May and June. Winter season is fairly cool and dry. January is the coldest month.
After preparing base maps on 1: 50,000 scale, reconnaissance field survey was conducted to develop interpretation key. Based upon the standard image characteristics, the visual interpretation of satellite data was carried out. The reserve forest boundaries were transferred to base maps from forest stock maps and toposheets (1:25,000) scale for density mapping. These were also used as an ancillary data for interpretation work and verification of details.
IRS film positives of April 1992 season were used for further modification of preliminary interpreted maps. Ground truth was conducted in the ambiguous areas. Modifications were made on interpreted maps keeping in view the ground truth details and a photo interpretation key was finalized.
Density Analysis
The density mapping is under taken only in reserve forest areas. Efficient and sustainable management of forest resources calls for assessment of quality and quantity. Density mapping is one of the methods to know the quality. This has two components i.e. ground density and crown density. In present study, crown density mapping have been carried out. The crown density comprises of percent canopy cover with respect to ground area exposed. As per UNESCO classification based upon crown cover, reserve forests have been categorized into three classes as under:
When the coverage of trees is 40%, the distance between two trees crown equals the mean radius of the tree crown. Density estimation in forest studies, using remotely sensed data have been done considering tonal variation. Moreover the magnitude of tone and texture differ from forest type to forest type and within a forest type. While assessing density, due attention was given for cause/effect relationship involved in produced and observed tone and texture. These density classes were verified in the field and detailed photo interpretation key was prepared. Final mapping was carried out considering all these details.
Total geographical area of Haryana is 44,212 sq. km with forest cover of only 1.2 per cent (FSI, 1995). Two types of forest are found in the state i.e. Tropical dry deciduous forest in northern districts in Shiwaliks and Tropical Thorn forest of southern districts. Degradation of forestlands is caused by a number of factors. Fuel wood collection and uncontrolled grazing are most important ones in the case of forestland located near the habitations. Increase in human and cattle population results in increased demands for fuel and fodder. Absence of employment opportunities in the villages, and subsistence agriculture result in conversion of extensive tree land into wasteland.
Degraded forestlands are mainly located in the Shivalik foothills in north and on Aravalli in south. A large part the of later is rocky and hardly fit to sustain much vegetation due to human action and grazing. However due to spatial resolution limitations strip plantation have not been mapped. The description of forest and wasteland categories is given below:
5.1.1 Closed forest
Rewari district has only 524 ha. of closed forests. It is only 0.336 percent to total geographical area of district and 14.21% to total forest area (Table-1). Presently, existing Jabua and Nahar are the only two closed forests in the district. Main species in these closed forest area are Acacia nilotica/ arabica, Porsopis cineraria, Ziziphus nummuleria, eucalyptus and shrubs.
Forest scenario is very grim in the district and immediately requires a comprehensive forest management programme. Due to constant misuse by lopping, over grazing and over cutting, the forests have deteriorated, particularly those within reach of settlements. Apart from ecological deterioration, there is growing shortage of firewoods, timber, fodder and other raw materials while the demand is increasing.
5.1.2 Block Plantations
Block plantations occupy 3163 ha area which is 2.03% of total area and 85.79 per cent of total forest area. These are the lands, which contain plantation out side notified or reserve forest area and are either naturally grown or raised under social/agro-forestry programme. Block plantations are largely located in village panchyat/ common land, institutional land and are distributed all through the districts. These block plantations are occupied by tree species of Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Prosopis juliflora, Salvadora oleoides and Prosopis cineraria.
These plantations need immediate protection from biotic influences and their continuous enrichment through gap plantation to save them from further degradation. Area under block plantation can be enhanced by social forestry programme particularly in Sahibi river course, village common lands and Aravalli zone and through agro-forestry plantation in sandy areas. Presently social forestry and agro-forestry plantation seems to be the only remedy to meet the need of ever increasing population and livestocks. The tree species suggested for plantation in arid semi arid zone of district are Prosopis cineraria (Jand) Acacia tortilis (Israel Babool, Prosopis juliflora (Vilayati Babool) Ziziphus mummularia (Bordi) Tecomella undulata (Rohida), Albizzia lebbeck (Siris) and Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham).
5.2.1. Degraded Block Plantation
This covers an area of 1421 ha. which is 0.91% to total area and 10.87% to total potential land for afforestation (Table-2). These are non-forest plantation either naturally grown or socially raised and has been degraded due to mismanagement of vegetation, soil and drainage. The degradation of the plantation also occurs due to unauthorized cutting of trees and their branches for fuel and fodder purposes. These degraded plantations are largely distributed over panchayat lands around villages, adjacent to hills, either side of transport network, canal bunds, seasonal stream courses and spread in patches throughout the district. Majority of degraded plantations in the district are covered with Acacia species.
For rehabilitation, these block plantations must be taken up for social forestry and gap plantations with suitable species. Degradation of these block plantation can be avoided by digging Cattle Protection Trench (CPT), causality replacement with effective watch & ward staff and planting tree species like Acacia, Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora oleoides and Albizia lebbeck.
5.2.2 Scrublands
Scrublands occupy about 3.20% of total geographical area and consist of 38.2% of total potential afforestation land (Table-2). These lands occupy relatively higher topography like uplands on high grounds with scrub/shrub vegetation. Generally these lands are undulating in nature, prone to degradation. In present investigation degraded lands with scrub, even in plains and sandy areas are included and mapped under this category. Scrublands include stony gravelly land; foothill zone of Aravalli, permanent fallows and majority of these lands are located in western part of district. However these scrub lands are also spread in alluvial plain, seasonal river course, aeolian plain and distributed in patches throughout the district.
Scrublands are formed on account of anthropogenic activities, which need to be checked. Massive felling of trees and shrubs for fuel and small timber and indiscriminate browsing and grazing by cattle are main factors. These areas can be saved from further degradation by adopting massive afforestation and pasture development programme with participation of local people who are dependent on these lands for their fuel and fodder requirements. As these lands are not suitable for agriculture, scientific regeneration of forest/ pasture development is required. But in spite of elaborate state sponsored/ privately initiated tree plantation programmes, the situation has not improved much.
5.2.3 Degraded Pasture/Grazing Land
These are spread over 27.5% of total wastelands and 2.3% to total geographical area (Table-2). All these lands are in non-forest areas mostly occupying the village panchyat land/common land, associated with the village surroundings. These are the natural plantations, which become degraded due to lack of proper conservation. These lands are over grazed, which prevents the natural regeneration, and destroy the plantation.
To meet the fuel and fodder requirement and reducing soil erosion, these lands are suggested for silvi-pasture development. For better ecological establishment and increased fodder production, reseeding the natural grasslands with appropriate tree species is advised. The suitable tree species for these lands are Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Acacia senegal, Ziziphus nummularia, Albizia lebbeck etc, and for grasses Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus setigerus and Lasiurus sindicus etc.
5.2.4 Sandy Areas
Area under this category is 1691 ha (1.08% of total area) and 12.93% to total afforestation lands. Sandy areas are those, which have stabilized/ unstabilized accumulated sand. Most of sandy wastelands are located in western part of district. These lands are eroded, excessively drained and undulating. These are devoid of vegetation except few plants like Khejri and acacia. Sandy wastelands need restructuring of present land use. The cultivation of these lands should be stopped and they should be developed into agro-forestry and silvi-pasture to check their further degradation.
The tree species recommended for these lands should have rapid growth, drought resistant, high foliage production, palatability and ability to produce good quality wood. Besides, trees should be capable to withstand lopping, pruning and browsing. Important tree species recommended are Prosopis cineraria, Acacia arabica/ nilotica Acacia tortilis Tecomella undalata, Zizyphus numulleria, and Lasirus sindicus, Cencherus ciliaris and Cenchrus setigerus are the main species of grasses. But Prosopis cineraria is specially recommended due to its rich multifarious qualities.
Table 1: Area under forest cover, Rewari district, Haryana
S. No. |
Category |
Area (ha) |
% to total geographical area |
% to total Forest cover |
1 |
Closed Forest |
424 |
0.336 |
14.21 |
2 |
Block Plantation |
3163 |
2.020 |
85.79 |
Total |
3587 |
2.356 |
100.00 |
Table 2: Statistics of Potential Sites for Afforestation
S. No. |
Category |
Area (ha) |
% to total geographical area |
% to total Potential land |
1 |
Degraded block plantation |
1421 |
0.91 |
10.87 |
2 |
Scrub land |
4993 |
3.20 |
38.20 |
3 |
Degraded pasture/ grazing land |
3595 |
2.30 |
27.50 |
4. |
Sand |
1691 |
1.08 |
12.93 |
5. |
Rocky land |
1369 |
0.87 |
10.47 |
Total |
13069 |
8.36 |
100.00 |
5.2.5 Rocky/ Gravelly land
These lands constitute 0.87% area of the district and 10.87% to potential areas for afforestation. These lands exist in southwestern part of the district. These are gravel exposures of varying lithology often barren and devoid of soil cover and vegetation due to thin veneer of soil. They can at best be used to grow suitable tree species, fodder grass and climbers. Hence afforestation and pasture development are required on a massive scale.
Regeneration of forests and pasture would play vital role of restoring the degraded environment. In view of magnitude of problem and amount of expenditure involved in this Herculean task, it would be appropriate to seek people's participation in this endeavor.
The present study demonstrates that satellite remote sensing is valuable technique for mapping of forests and potential afforestation sites occurring over large area, rapidly and economically. Up-to-date information on location and spatial extent of forests and wastelands is an essential prerequisite for management of forest and wastelands. Looking in to low forest cover, a massive self-sustaining, self-propagating, autonomous people's afforestation movement should be launched without delay. The general economic condition of the rural poor people needs improvement so that their dependence on small bits of unproductive agricultural lands and forestlands is reduced. This is possible only by establishing small-scale industries in rural areas, provision for alternative fuel-efficient hearths and conscious efforts to educate the villager on the environment.
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1 Haryana State Remote Sensing Application Centre (HARSAC),
CCS HAU Campus, Hisar - 125004, Haryana, India
Phone: +91 1662 32632/ 31046, Fax: +91 1662-25958/71369
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