Srinagar, Mar 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has adopted Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) technology to map and digitise forest boundaries across the Union Territory, aiming to enhance accuracy, transparency, and protection of forest land.
Jammu and Kashmir spans 42,241 sq km, of which 20,194 sq km (47.80 per cent) is under forest cover. The Kashmir region accounts for 8,128 sq km, with Kupwara recording the highest forest cover at 71.58 per cent, followed by Baramulla at 58.63 per cent.
The department initiated a re-survey of forest boundaries in 2021 and introduced DGPS technology in 2025. As of January 2026, 50,567 boundary pillars have been installed in Kashmir out of a total of 57,998, while 111 out of 578 forests have been digitised, covering 9,454 pillars.
Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, Irfan Rasool Wani, said the use of DGPS has significantly improved the accuracy and efficiency of forest demarcation. He noted that the technology enables precise location and reinstallation of boundary pillars with centimetre-level accuracy, reducing the risk of disputes and encroachments. The department aims to complete the exercise by the end of 2026.
“The demarcation of forests in Jammu and Kashmir dates back to 1914, when rules were framed during the Maharaja’s administration. These were further strengthened in 1924 through detailed surveys that separated forest land from revenue areas and led to the creation of records such as demarcation maps, pillar descriptions, and forest area registers,” Wani said.
He added that these traditional systems, including Nakshai Hadbandhi and Tashreeh Burjiyat, have guided forest demarcation for over a century. However, natural factors and human interference often damage or displace boundary pillars, making repeated surveys time-consuming and labour-intensive.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kehmil, Kupwara, Faisal Farooq, said the Kehmil Forest Division has also produced a documentary on DGPS-based digitisation of forest boundary pillars. The film was released on March 24 on the occasion of the International Day of Forests by Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, showcasing fieldwork and technological advancements in forest mapping.
“Earlier GPS systems offered accuracy of 3 to 5 metres, which posed challenges in precise mapping. With DGPS, we now achieve survey-grade accuracy at the centimetre level,” Farooq said, adding that the system uses satellites, field receivers, and a base station to correct positional errors in real time.
He added that once surveys are completed, the boundaries will be digitised into accurate maps, serving as reliable references for future demarcation and making the process faster and more efficient. (Agency)
