ASSESSMENT OF GREEN COVER IN FARIDABAD DISTRICT (INDIA): A GEOSPATIAL APPROACH

摘要

The inventory of tree resources is accountable to hold documented vegetation cover, which is of utmost importance in framing development plans, effective land use management and to monitor ecological balance / imbalances. The present study aimed at assessing the current status of vegetation cover, with the help of geospatial technology, utilizing World View Ⅱ, and fused product of Resourcesat 2 LISS-Ⅳ and Cartosat data. A series of vegetation categories (forest cover and trees outside forests) were identified and classified in the study area of Faridabad district (Haryana) located at 28°23'1" and 28°22'39" north latitudes and 77°20'44" and 77°32'36'" east longitudes covering an area of 741 sq. km. The notified forest area (Aravali plantations, Reserved forests (RF). Protected forests (PF) and Section 4 & 5) were found extending to an area of 9237.5 hectares observed prior to digitization on World View Ⅱ imagery. The corresponding Forest Canopy Density (FCD) was generated using Integration Model which utilizes Advanced Vegetation Index (AVI), Bare Soil Index (BSI), and Shadow-Index (SI) indicating 1438.07 ha area of forests as degraded with the canopy density falling in the range of 0 - 25%. The trees outside forests were sub-classified in point, linear and block formations with an area of 4885.4 hectares found roofed by linear and block formations and the individual trees (small, large and cluster) forming a number of 30946. The results indicated the green cover to be 19.27 % of total geographical area of the district. It is evident that the resulting maps will provide timely, detailed and precise data applicable to update from time to time. The study also finds its utility for biogeochemical models where the type and extent of cover is the major input to monitor and sustain the ecological balance.