Ludhiana's Digital Forest: 1.5 Lakh Trees Now Tracked

Ludhiana has launched an extensive tree census, digitally mapping more than 1.5 lakh trees in public parks and along roadsides. This pioneering project utilizes GPS technology to record critical details for each tree, including its location, species, trunk size, age, and overall health. This real-time digital record is intended to create a robust defense against illegal logging activities within the industrial city.

The municipal corporation commissioned the survey following a directive from the National Green Tribunal. The comprehensive data collected will serve as the foundation for implementing stringent new tree preservation rules. Officials anticipate that this digital inventory will effectively curb illegal felling and enhance the management of the city's urban forest.

While surveyors have encountered some local resistance due to privacy concerns, the project is nearing completion. The fieldwork, which began this year after delays, is expected to conclude within the next two months. The census aligns with an October 2023 NGT order to document plantation survival rates and publish park inventories online.