Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its forest management strategies. This initiative is designed to boost biodiversity preservation, adapt to climate change, and improve overall forest management practices.
The Uttarakhand Forest Department has initiated a pilot AI project in the Garhwal Forest Division. Cutting-edge AI tools analyse ecosystem data to guide the formulation of a decade-long operational plan. These plans are essential for the management of Uttarakhand’s varied forests, which include tropical forests, temperate woodlands, and alpine meadows.
The AI system offers a more accurate insight into the region’s biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and watershed areas. This comprehensive analysis enables customised management suggestions tailored to each type of forest.
Initial findings from the pilot project highlight AI’s capability to provide in-depth insights into the health of forests. The technology pinpoints priority species and recommends specific conservation actions.
Considering that forests constitute around two-thirds of Uttarakhand’s territory, this AI-based approach is anticipated to help forest management throughout the state.
The positive outcomes of the pilot project indicate a promising potential for the broad implementation of similar AI-driven systems in other parts of India.
The Pauri Garhwal forest division hosts both coniferous and broadleaved tree species including Pinus roxburghii (chir pine), Abies pindrow (silver fir), Cedrus deodara (deodar), and Cupressus torulosa (Himalayan cypress). Broadleaved species include Quercus leucotrichophora (banj oak), Quercus floribunda (moru oak), Quercus semecarpifolia (kharsu oak), and Rhododendron arboreum (burans).
Notably, nearly two-thirds of Uttarakhand's area is covered by various types of forests ranging from tropical forests in the plains, temperate forests in mid-Himalayan regions and alpine meadows at high altitudes.
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