A. K. Kandya , M. M. Kimothi , R. N. Jadhav , J. P. Agarwal

Abstract

Occurrcnce of frequent fire is one of the reasons for degradation of forests in the country/ elsewhere in the world. The forest fires affect (a) standing vegetation, (b) soil, (c) productive capacity of the forest, (d) productive value of the forest, (e) wildlife and (f) recreational. Or scenic values. An attempt has been made to map the fire-prone areas of a part of Junagadh District of Gujarat. IRSIB, LISS-II data were visually classified to ascertain the vegetation status of the study area. The roadnetwork and the huts/settlements were mapped through the Survey ofIndia (SoI) topographical map. Finally, to begin with, these three parameters out of many, which may have direct/indirect influence over the occurrence of fire, were integrated using Geographic Information System (GIS) approach resulting in a 'fire-prone' map of the area.

Full Text

     

M. M. Kimothi , R. N. Jadhav , A. K. Kandya , M. B. Mankare , P. B. Bhalekar , S. G. Chavan

Abstract

Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) is multistate multipurpose river valley which is expected to benefit and aid in development of four states namely Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The catchment area of Narmada river above Sardar Sarovar Dam, is 88.000 km² of which 1676 km² area is part of Maharashtra State. The area is predominantly forested and tribal in nature and social and economic life of the people is totally dependent on forest for food, fuel, fodder, timber and medicines. This needs for up-to-date and reliable information on current status of land utilization for important planning processes such as catchment area treatment (CAT). At the instance of Maharashtra Forest Department a detailed microlevel catchment area treatment package was evolved using remotely sensed satellite data (IRS-LISS II and SPOT) and the recommendation for five categories of CAT has been made to preserve forest and biodiversity in the catchment area along with development of tribal community by way of massive afforestation programme coupled with soil and water conservation. Five years phasing of CAT plan with annual target of 20% area under various treatments have been recommended. The total cost of the CAT plan has been worked out around 2801.40 lakhs with an employment generation of 64.39 lakhs man days. Based on this CAT plan using remotely sensed data the implementation of the CAT has been started from Oct, 1993 with an opening of four new Watershed Management Division by the Maharashtra Forest Department.

Full Text

     

R. N. Jadhav , G. V. Sarat Babu , Kavita Dwivedi , J. K. Thesia

Abstract

Forest encroachment map of Shirpur and Sanghvi ranges of North Dhule Division of
Maharashtra was prepared using multiternporal satellite data of 1972, 1976 and 1986. It was found that by 1986 about 60% of the forest area was encroached in both the divisions. Between 1972-1976 the rate of encroachment was more in Shirpur range. However, between 1976-1986 the same was more in Sangvi range. Accuracy of the map was verified on ground and it was 90% at 95% conlldence limits.

Full Text