India's Largest Tree Census for the City of Nashik, Maharashtra

Terracon Ecotech’s Landmark Collaboration with Nashik Municipal Corporation for Environmental Planning and Compliance with Urban Tree Protection Act, utilizing the VrukshSharad application integrated with GPS-enabled devices.

Service Provided

GIS-Based Tree Census Management

Recommendation-Based Analysis

Comprehensive Tree Characteristics Documentation

Sectors

Municipal Corporation

Introduction

Terracon Ecotech collaborated with the Nashik Municipal Corporation in a landmark initiative, conducting India’s largest tree census for the city of Nashik, Maharashtra. Over a span of one year December 2016 to December 2017, Terracon Ecotech employed innovative methodologies to create an extensive database of tree characteristics, contributing to future environmental planning and aligning with the Urban Tree Protection and Conservation Act. As per the 1975-7(b) Urban Tree Protection and Conservation Act, a tree is defined as “a plant having woody stem or trunk (excluding mangroves) with minimum girth of 10 cm and height of 3 meter above the ground level”. In order to protect trees, the Act places responsibility on the tree authority of Municipal Councils to conduct a census of all trees in the jurisdiction once before 2007, and every five years hereafter.

Project Description

The Nashik tree census project, spanning 267.8 sq. km over 15 months, exemplifies Terracon Ecotech’s commitment to sustainable urban planning. The project was carried out under the instruction of the High Court.

The VrukshSharad application, integrated with GPS-enabled devices, ensured accurate and efficient data collection. It is an Android-friendly app for easy installation on geo-enabled mobile devices, with training provided for field/council staff. The app has an objective to reduce the time of data collection and provide accurate results. Field officers with tree identification knowledge were trained to use the app and carry out the process of collecting the proper and appropriate quality raw data. This app not only enhances the accuracy of the tree census but also contributes to significant time and manpower savings.

The recorded primary data for each tree, encompassing local name, height, girth, age, canopy diameter, ownership, condition, and precise location. This comprehensive dataset was complemented by secondary information, including scientific name, family, and economic/ecological significance.

The study generated recommendations based on the tree census, empowering the Nashik Municipal Corporation to manage its green cover effectively. Actionable insights included the removal of damaged or diseased trees, systematic handling of invasive species, and monitoring illegal deforestation.

The final dataset, boasting a count of 47,95,281 trees, not only serves as a valuable resource for future environmental planning but also reinforces Nashik’s dedication to preserving its green heritage. This pioneering project stands as a testament to Terracon Ecotech’s expertise in utilizing technology for impactful ecological initiatives.

Representative images showing mobile application

Methodology

The first step in conducting the field study was collecting the proper and appropriate quality raw data. The primary data collected from the field was used as the base for the entire project and helped in deducing various conclusions during the entire project process. The mobile-based geo-enabled survey application named VrukshSharad was used to collect the primary data from the field. The survey form was prepared and used to conduct the survey. The data was uploaded by the field officer and submitted to the server.

Outcome

The project resulted in the collection of primary data on the trees in the city of Nashik. The data collected included details such as the tree species, girth, height, age, canopy diameter, and condition of the tree. The data was uploaded by the field officer and submitted to the server. The data collected can be used to generate different kinds of reports and pie charts. The map provided in the web application can be used to visualize the schematic representation of the tree census.

Benefits

The data collected can be used to make informed decisions about the management of trees in the city of Nashik. The project can also be replicated in other cities to collect data on the trees in those cities.