Ludhiana has launched a pioneering tree census that has mapped more than 1.5 lakh trees across the city’s public parks and roadsides. This initiative establishes a digital shield against illegal logging in the industrial hub, allowing authorities to track and verify the urban canopy in real time.
GPS Mapping for Real-Time Monitoring
The municipal corporation commissioned the ongoing survey through a private firm following a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The project uses GPS (global positioning system) mapping to log each tree’s location, species, trunk size, age, and health condition. This digital record enables authorities to monitor the status of every tree instantly.
“Through GPS mapping, we can verify a tree’s position at any time,” said Ishwar, a representative of the contracting firm. “If a tree is cut down illegally, we will know immediately.”
New Regulations to Protect Trees
Kripal Singh, a junior engineer with the municipal corporation, stated that the data will form the baseline for strict new tree preservation rules. “Once the mapping is complete, we can frame regulations for tree safety and put an end to illegal felling,” he said.
Background and Timeline
The census follows an October 2023 NGT order that mandated the civic body to document urban plantation survival rates and publish a park inventory online. While a joint committee recommended the census in 2024, delays in hiring contractors pushed the fieldwork into this year.
Surveyors have encountered some resistance from local residents. Some residents objected to workers photographing trees near their properties, fearing that the digital records could complicate future building modifications or emergency tree removals. Officials expect the remaining mapping to be completed within two months.
This comprehensive tree census represents a significant step forward in environmental protection for Ludhiana, leveraging technology to safeguard the city’s green cover and ensure accountability.
