Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar released detailed project reports of the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) based survey of forest areas in 10 states.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar released detailed project reports of the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) based survey of forest areas in 10 states. The technology was used to develop a three-dimensional digital elevation model and imagery for recommending different types of soil and water conservation structures, according to the ministry. The first-time central government's funds have been used to survey forest areas of 26 states at a large scale. The reports of 10 states - Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura- were released at a virtual event. The LiDAR survey will help in increasing water and fodder in jungle areas thereby reducing human-animal conflict. It will also assist in identifying areas that need groundwater recharge, which will benefit the local communities. The survey was carried out by WAPCOS Ltd (formerly known as Water and Power Consultancy Services Ltd), a PSU under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India at a cost INR 18.38 Crore in 26 states over 2,61,897 hectares (DPRs for remaining 16 states to be released shortly).

      CMD- Debashree Mukherjee