New Delhi, September 10: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Thursday called for wider use of advanced and indigenous technologies to improve the assessment, monitoring and management of India’s forests and tree resources.
Addressing a national workshop on the use of new technologies in forest and tree resource assessment in New Delhi, Yadav said reliable environmental data and modern tools were essential for better decision-making and strengthening India’s climate action.
The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, brought together officials from state forest departments, scientists, research institutions, technology specialists and other stakeholders.
The discussions focused on three key areas — digital mapping of forest boundaries, assessment of forest and tree cover, and estimation of carbon stocks.
Yadav said human development must remain compatible with nature and emphasised the need to strengthen systems for collecting and analysing information on natural resources.
He said technology-driven approaches could help improve conservation efforts and support nature-based solutions for addressing climate-related challenges.The minister highlighted the role of the Forest Survey of India (FSI), which has been conducting assessments of India’s forest and tree resources at regular two-year intervals since 1987.
The India State of Forest Report provides scientific information on changes in forest and tree cover and serves as an important basis for national and international reporting.
Yadav stressed the need for common standards and reliable parameters across institutions involved in forest assessment. He said compensatory afforestation should focus not only on plantation numbers but also on protecting plantations and improving the overall quality of green cover.
He also called for a more systematic approach to dealing with forest fires. Areas that repeatedly experience fires should be identified and classified so that authorities can develop targeted prevention and response measures, he said.
Highlighting the ecological importance of wetlands, the minister said conservation planning should maintain a proper balance among wetlands, forests and grasslands. Such ecosystems play an important role in protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological stability.
Yadav also underlined the importance of developing indigenous technologies and strengthening the technical capabilities of forest personnel. He called for better integration of field-level experience and improved data quality into the preparation of the India State of Forest Report.
According to the ministry, India is working towards an enhanced target of creating a carbon sink equivalent to 3.5 to 4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035. Achieving the target would require technological innovation, effective policies, stronger institutions and greater participation from communities, the minister said.
The ministry said it continues to provide technical and financial assistance to states and Union Territories through programmes including the Green India Mission, MISHTI, Nagar Van Yojana, Namo Van and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.
The workshop also examined ways to strengthen forest governance, promote climate-resilient action and ensure sustainable management of the country’s natural resources through wider adoption of technology and stronger institutional mechanisms.
