Satellite information to be used in Thai forest conservation

[webfact]

Satellite information to be used in forest conservation
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Aug 5 -- Thailand's Royal Forest Department and Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) (GISTDA) joined forces in combating forest encroachment by using satellite image technology to inspect forest areas in Thailand.

The use of satellite information was aimed to further improve forest conservation measures, especially in 22 provinces in the Thai North and Northeast where encroachment is widespread, in line with the policy of the military-led National Council for Peace and Order.

According to GISTDA’s latest satellite information, one million rai of forest area are destroyed every year and there are currently only 102 million rai of forest left in the country.

GISTDA’s satellite imagery for forest inspection will be introduced in Phitsanulok province, along with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle which will be used to monitor encroachment risk areas, including Wang Thong district where a large area of conserved forest has been destroyed and converted into para rubber plantations. (MCOT online news)

[tna]2014-08-05[/tna]

[ChrisY1]

Oh....this'll be good.......!!

Expect some astonishing headlines now....

They dont even have proper survey information on the forests........what will a satellite image tell them>>>>>??

[EricBerg]

Depending on the quality of the cams on the satellite it's a superior way of inspecting the forest. Especially infrared cams can show remarkable results.

 

But then one still needs follow-up. If Tarit can simply walk away from the illegal homes to next to his land there's no reason why infuencial people shouldn't build in beautiful forest land as well.

Edited August 5, 2014 by EricBerg

[losername]

How is it possible that they have not been using this technology for many years already?  What did they use before, a man on a bicycle?

[scotbeve]

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How is it possible that they have not been using this technology for many years already?  What did they use before, a man on a bicycle?

 

Long tape measures.... REALLY!!!! No joke.

[crobe]

The reason this data was not used before was that the forestry department was not interested, but now with a new set of bosses they have suddenly become more keen.

 

This may be able to turn up more results than you may think. GISTDA has an archive of 6 years of data from its own optical satellite (yes, Thailand has a satellite), which has a resolution of 2 metres - good enough to show encroachment, and around 20 years of archive of US Landsat data at a lower resolution, and even some years of radar data that can show the difference between natural forest and plantations such as rubber. This is because GISTDA is now working closely with a lot of companies from outside Thailand with the analytics to detect this, even from the historical data, and so there may be some more "influential persons" in trouble.

 

I expect to see a lot more of these cooperations involving GISTDA coming through - agriculture, maritime and navigation to name a few

 

It is good to see that some more joined up government is now happening.

 

 

[timber]

Used to use digital video with GPS location on each frame. Take the video locate disturbance and take a look. Saves and incredible amount of man hours and traveling costs. Other agencies can then use. Parks, forestry, fisheries, etc. Lots of other uses also.