India launches a massive tree census to increase Delhi’s green cover and combat climate change, employing modern technologies and local community involvement.
Trees are essential allies in the fight against desertification, pollution, and climate change. In an effort to increase Delhi‘s green cover, India is conducting a massive tree census.
India is a vast country with diverse geography, covering an area of approximately 3.28 million square kilometers.
It shares borders with Pakistan to the west, China and Nepal to the north, Bhutan and Bangladesh to the east, and Myanmar to the southeast.
The climate in India varies from tropical to alpine, with six distinct seasons: summer, winter, autumn, spring, pre-monsoon, and monsoon.
The Himalayan mountain range runs along the northern border, while the Thar Desert covers a significant portion of northwestern India.
The Importance of Tree Census
Forests across India are threatened by illegal logging, and the decision to launch the census was recently confirmed by the Supreme Court. The project aims to increase the city’s green cover and has been given a timeline of around four years and an estimated budget of over $516,600.
How the Census Will Work
The tree census takers will not only count the trees in the territory but also sort them into species, record their height, girth, health status, and exact location. Most importantly, they will record the carbon mass of the tree – the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
A tree census is a systematic count of trees in a given area, often conducted by foresters, researchers, or government agencies.
The purpose of a tree census is to gather data on the number, species, age, and health of trees within a specific region.
This information helps in understanding forest composition, identifying areas for conservation, and developing sustainable land-use practices.
Tree censuses can be conducted manually or using aerial photography and remote sensing technologies.
Modern Technologies to Aid the Census
The project has incorporated modern technologies such as remote sensing, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), drones, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to improve both the accuracy of data and the speed of the process. However, a fully automated system for this process has not yet been developed.
Challenges and Limitations
While modern technology can make surveying trees much easier and faster, there are still challenges to be overcome. Satellites cannot detect grazing in an area, which means field visits are necessary to determine the extent of deforestation.
Local Communities as Allies in the Fight to Protect Trees
Tree censuses make it easier to track invasive species and protect the trees from illegal logging. In this battle, conservationists can call on allies from local communities, especially those whose lifestyles depend on trees. Local communities have a vested interest in protecting their forests, which can lead to more responsible use of these resources.
The Future of Tree Census
The tree census is an important step towards increasing Delhi‘s green cover and reducing carbon emissions. With the help of modern technologies and local community involvement, India can make a significant impact on its environmental challenges.
