Remote Sensing and GIS for Forestry Interventions for Ganga (ForGanga) www.forganga.in Implementing Institute Forest Research Institute, Dehradun
Ganga: Glimpse of Few Issues
Ganga: Glimpse of Few Issues
Objectives of the ForGanga DPR Identify appropriate forestry interventions for Ganga rejuvenation that are consistent with stakeholders concerns Suggest implementation plan through a blend of riparian forestry interventions and catchment area treatment Anant Van: Manintaining vegetation cover across the stretch of river Ganga and its tributaries Aviral Dhara: Maintaining minimum ecological flow
IV tiers of Filters I. II. III. IV. Micro-organisams and water hyacinths
DPR Preparation Stages Concept note submitted to NMCG: 29 th Oct, 2014 Project approved by NMCG : 16 th Feb, 2015 Draft Report Submitted: Feb, 2016 Final Report Submission: March, 2016 (DPR for Phase I) States identified for the Phase I Uttarakhand Uttar Pradesh Bihar Jharkhand West Bengal
DPR Preparation Stage: Phase I
DPR Preparation Stage: Phase I Development of interactive dynamic webpage
DPR Preparation Stage: Phase I Development of interactive dynamic webpage www.forganga.in
DPR Preparation Stage: Phase I State level Consultations for the States of Uttarakhand Uttar Pradesh Bihar Jharkhand West Bengal Followed By National Level Consultations
Forest Cover Status in the Project Area Forest Cover (ISFR, FSI)
Geographical Area For Prioritisation Geographical Area (Km 2 ) UK : 53483 UP : 240928 Bihar : 94163 Jharkhand : 79714 WB : 88752
Actions identified for ForGanga Treatment of Ganga catchment by forestry intervention Treatment of riparian area by different tiers of filters Development of artificial wetlands for treatment of wastewater Biodiversity conservation in Eco sensitive zones of river catchment Development of ecotourism and livelihood opportunities Monitoring plan to review progress of each of the above activities Required information: 1. Identification of critical areas for implementation of each of the above action plan. 2. Identification of local potential native species (by FRI and SFDs) 3. Identification of point and non point sources of water pollution (SPCBs)
Few Issues raised in State Consultation Meet Land availability : Agriculture and Encroachment in riverside Silt deposition which effects river flow and cause frequent flooding Fluctuating and meandering river course and thus leave vast areas inundated/water logged for longer periods of time Shifting of river course: The main river course has shifted towards North Brick Kilns results wastelands: A serious need of restoration through Forestry interventions Sand Mining: Need for evaluation of sand mining limits Pollution
Few Issues raised in State Consultation Meet Problems associated with adequate capacity and functioning of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) Loss of Biodiversity: Aquatic biodiversity needs systematic monitoring Zooplanktons found infested with cancerous growth (Herniation) due to deterioration of water quality Ground water depletion: Due to improvised irrigation/agriculture practices and lack of rain water harvesting systems Unplanned river embankments and flood management Human Interferences of Ganga : How to neutralise Natural Wetlands: are under conflict of protection and ecotourism Different Ghats along the Bank: Highly populated
Suggestions Received During Meet Formation of Forest Management Group (FMG) and Riparian Zone Management Group (RMG) FMG: Its role Identification of priority areas for forestry interventions Identification of Species to be planted How to associate community actively Dealing with critical issues of proposed forestry interventions RMG: Its role Identification of priority areas of riparian zone treatment Managing activities which are deteriorating riparian zones Intervention through applicable riparian zone treatment models Riparian zone treatment through biological filters, microbes, plants Construction of artificial wetlands
Feedback During National Meet Restoration of wasteland resulted from Brick Kilns along the dead river courses by plantation of grass and suitable plant species Soil quality testing for selecting desired plant species for identified areas The area exposed due to meandering of Ganga towards North should be declared as reserved and restricted area and it should be used only for afforestation Construction of artificial wetland for wastewater treatment and green scape. Development and management of natural wetlands since they are interconnected with Ganga Implementation of Horti- forestry, Agro forestry Models in identified areas Creation of Natural embankment by Bamboo and other suitable species which are good soil binder to check erosion. FRI will facilitate in suggesting species. Creation of check dams, contour bands to check erosion for enhancement of percolation rate Eco- sensitive Zone identification and its management Banning fishing in spawning season and capacity building of fishermen Establishment of riverside parkland, electric crematorium, incinerator for solid waste treatment, bambosetum, arboratum, woodland Plan for managing symbolic immersion of idols and Puja wastes and mass awareness for Ganga rejuvenation
Suggested Strategies Treatment of banks of the river by site specific models by delineating actual sites of treatment considering its size, drainage, soil type, public demand, etc. Deciding appropriate width of Aquatic Zone, Riparian Zone, Influence Zone Detail plan to deal with various legal and policy issues of: Encroachment of river beds/ banks Frequent fluctuation of river course Uncontrolled sand mining Presence of brick kilns along river banks and at times along waterlines Excessive fishing and unplanned fishing Steps for habitat improvement for biodiversity conservation with introduction of those mega species which have dwindled sharply like Turtles and Tortoises, Water lizards, Otters, Gharials, Muggars etc. Restoration and conservation of natural wetlands Decentralized artificial wetlands Monitoring plans to review progress of implementation works Developing essential GIS layers and integration of available layers developed by various agencies
Moments Of Consultation Meet
DPR Preparation Stage Data from State DPR Database creation Information Gathering & Consolidation Integration, Gap analysis & Exploration Harmonization & Decision Support System Prioritization of sites Designing Intervention Model Costing norms DPR preparation Geo-Spatial modeling & Site prioritization Data management
DPR Preparation Stage Database Management Module
Riverscape under ForGanga Uttarakhand, 450 km, 11 tributaries Uttar Pradesh, 1000 km, 3 tributaries Bihar, 405 km, 4 tributaries Jharkhand, 40 km, 5 tributaries West Bengal, 520 km, 7 tributaries
RS/GIS works involved Delineation of areas for forestry intervention Delineation of riparian zone Delineation of areas for developing artificial wetlands Delineation of Eco sensitive zones of catchment area GIS layers used: Stream network and catchment boundary Digital Elevation Maps Slope and Aspect map of the terrain Soil category map Forest type and forest density map Land use category maps Soil erosion map
RS/GIS works involved Delineation of catchment area DEM Drainage network Catchment Area Land use pattern in catchment area LULC Map Agriculture Riparian zone Forests Wastelands/Others Developing criteria to prioritize area for intervention Development and use of GIS layers for prioritizing sites Weightage to each criteria GIS Tools Map of priority zones State consultation meets 1. Area for forestry intervention 2. Area for developing riparian zone 3. Area for developing artificial wetland 4. Eco sensitive zones
Land Use and Land Cover Forest Type RS/GIS works involved Forest Cover Soil Type Soil Depth Soil ph Soil Erosion Elevation Slope Aspect
RS/GIS works involved
GEO- SPATIAL MODELING RS/GIS works involved High 16680 Km 2 20% Low 39848 Km 2 47% Medium 27416 Km 2 33%
Nodal Institutes of Consultation NRAA Project Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Dehradun Wild life Institute of India (WII), Dehradun Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun Watershed Directorate of Uttarakhand, Dehradun Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC), Dehradun
Acknowledgments MoWR, R D & G R NMCG MINISTRY OF AYUSH MoEF & CC SFDs of 5 Participating States NYKS All other Individuals for their essential inputs and feedback Special thanks to IIRS, FSI and IISWC for their technical inputs ECO TASK FORCE ITBP NATIONAL/ STATE LEVEL SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTES
www.cfc2017.in Your gracious presence is solicited during 3-7 April, 2017 at FRI
Thanks Forest Informatics Division Forest Research Institute PO: New Forest, Dehradun http://fri.icfre.gov.in/ Email: manojfri@gmail.com, kumarmanoj@icfre.org