Study area
The exploratory study was planned to take place in Bhopal District, Madhya Pradesh. This district was carved out of the Sehore District in 1981 and provides an ideal test site in terms of its size, spread of TOF and proximity to IIFM. Spreading over 2 772 km2, it is a relatively small area. Rural areas in the district are largely agricultural having a fair abundance of field perimeter, roadside, bundside and village orchard trees.
The district is covered by the Survey of India topographic map sheets 55E/1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 at 1:50 000 scale. At 1:25 000 scale, the district is covered by 48 Survey of India map sheets with East, West, North and South quadrants for each of the above numbered map sheet.
Remote sensing data
It is proposed to use the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IC PAN and LISS III data for the exploratory study. While the PAN data provide a good 5.8M2 spatial resolution, the LISS III data are at a spatial resolution of 23.5 M2 multi-spectral data sets.
The multi-spectral data would provide analysis avenues exploiting spectral properties of vegetation that will corroborate tree identification using PAN data. It is therefore felt that data from both LISS and PAN sensors would probably yield the best results in the identification of TOF.
Analysis and interpretation
A suitable sampling design will be developed for carrying out this exploratory study. The sampling design will cover various strata to ensure appropriate representation of diverse areas. The satellite data will be analyzed at IIFM using the ERDAS Image processing software. Administrative/village boundaries and major land features, which will also help in tree counts, will be digitized and superimposed on the satellite imagery using the ARC/INFO GIS. Field verification based on the sampling design will be carried out to ascertain the accuracy of image interpretation. Costs of the various activities will be noted to provide a realistic cost-accuracy-feasibility evaluation for the modified methodology to ease replication in other areas. Table 9 shows the costs for the study.
Table 9. Estimated costs for the exploratory study
|
Project activity |
Cost in US$ |
|
|
Digital data |
||
|
|
LISS III Digital/Geocoded Paper Print Scene/s on CD ROM Media for the
Study Area |
4 700 |
|
PAN Digital/Geocoded Paper Print Scenes |
8 000 |
|
|
Interpretation charges |
||
|
|
Field visit expenses for 2 field investigators |
2 600 |
|
Computer consumables, map production and photography |
1 100 |
|
|
Scanning and digitization |
1 100 |
|
|
Interpretation costs including computer time and consultation |
1 700 |
|
|
Miscellaneous costs |
||
|
|
Out of station travel |
500 |
|
Reports |
300 |
|
|
Total |
20 000 |
|
