PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Uttarakhand will prepare digital demarcation of forests through Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping to prevent illegal encroachments and resolve disputes related to forest boundaries. The initiative aims to bring clarity to forest limits and address longstanding issues of unauthorised occupation of forest land across the State.
Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said on Sunday that the Forest department has already prepared a proposal for the project, which will be placed before the State cabinet soon. He said that after the cabinet’s approval, a Standard Operating Procedure will guide the implementation of digital mapping and subsequent actions.
Uniyal stated that GIS-based mapping will help the government in clearly marking forest boundaries, which will prevent new cases of encroachment and assist in identifying existing ones. The government will then be able to act against such cases systematically. He added that encroachment in forest areas remains one of the major issues in the State and digital demarcation will provide a permanent solution once the system is fully in place.
This will be the first time Uttarakhand undertakes digital mapping for forest demarcation. Disputes over boundaries have continued for decades, often leading to confusion between local residents, revenue authorities and the Forest department. The lack of clear records has made enforcement difficult. The digital process, according to the minister, will create uniformity and reduce the chances of further disputes. He also stated that the department has been preparing for this step for a considerable time and has worked on drafting the SOP to ensure smooth execution. Once approved, the project will move into its operational stage.
Uniyal stated that the new system will also help in long-term monitoring of forest land. With digital records of boundaries, the department can track violations more effectively. Priority mapping will begin in areas where cases of encroachment are most frequent. The government expects the system to improve forest governance, strengthen protection of forest land and provide lasting clarity on boundary-related disputes across Uttarakhand.
