Initial reports of the census suggest 18% surge in forest cover of the state.
Gujarat Forest Department will for the first time come up with individual district-wise report of the ongoing tree census.
The additional principal chief conservator of forests, HS Singh, said that the census, so far, has been done in seven districts – Surendranagar, Nadiad, Navsari, Bhavnagar, Patan and Mehsana.
“The initial report of these districts suggests that there is an 18% increase in forest cover.
This is likely to be maintained in rest of the state,” said Singh.
Unlike earlier when districts would send their reports to the forest department and subsequently, one report was prepared for the state, each district will now publish their own individual tree census report.
“The individual report will have details of various types of trees found in the district and their current status,” said Singh, who attributes social forestry activities of the department for the surge in forest cover. Talking about Mehsana, whose tree census report is ready, Singh said that the tree density per hectare increased from 49.6 trees in 2004 to 54.7 trees in 2012. The tree population also increased from 213.90 lakh to 236.35 lakh.
Singh further said that the department plans to plant 35-40 crore trees in the state in next five years.
Herbivore census begins
A two-day herbivore census of animals in and around Gir Sanctuary started on Tuesday, with 19 teams fanning out on 19 routes to count the number of herbivores in the forest.
Each team has 5-6 members, who will travel on foot and vehicles to get an idea of the total number of herbivores in the sanctuary, said DCF (Sasan-Gir) Sandeep Kumar.
“The counting happens two times a day – 6am to 9am and 4.30pm to 7pm,” said Kumar.
The census will cover spotted deer, sambar, langur, blackbucks and four-horned antelopes. “The census will also count peacocks and wild birds, too,” said Kumar.
He said the census will not only give an idea of the prey-base in Gir, but also is an important part of monitoring of habitat.
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