<p>Bengaluru: The Karnataka Forest Department has begun removing encroachment by relying on an alert system based on a combination of satellite imagery and artificially intelligence helping officials to also keep vigil on illegal tree felling by tracking changes in forest cover.</p><p>Forest, Ecology and Environment MInister Eshwar B Khandre said the satellite-based vigilance system developed by Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (KSRSAC) will enable the department to adopt zero tolerance towards encroachments.</p>.Karnataka Forest Department rejects exploration of iron ore in 1000 acre virgin forest.<p>"Between July 1 and November 3, 167 alerts have been received and officials on the ground have been told to take action. Evictions will be carried out regardless of how influential the encroachers are," he said.</p><p>At the backend, the department has digitally mapped the forest boundary. The system will use historical maps available in the public domain and an AI-driven algorithm will be run to check changes in the land cover. The satellite imagery will be used as digital evidence for encroachment.</p>.<p>The system provides alerts on forest cover change every 21 days. The alert will be verified and forwarded to the divisional officers for necessary action. The timely alert system will help eviction, conduct inquiry and manage the forests with accountability.</p><p>Reiterating the department's commitment to increase the forest cover from 22 per cent to 33 per cent of the state's geographical area, Khandre said the pre-2015 encroachments (including patta land) below 3 acres will be exempted. "Even the remaining 22 per cent is facing threat from encroachment. This has to be stopped," he said.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The Karnataka Forest Department has begun removing encroachment by relying on an alert system based on a combination of satellite imagery and artificially intelligence helping officials to also keep vigil on illegal tree felling by tracking changes in forest cover.</p><p>Forest, Ecology and Environment MInister Eshwar B Khandre said the satellite-based vigilance system developed by Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (KSRSAC) will enable the department to adopt zero tolerance towards encroachments.</p>.Karnataka Forest Department rejects exploration of iron ore in 1000 acre virgin forest.<p>"Between July 1 and November 3, 167 alerts have been received and officials on the ground have been told to take action. Evictions will be carried out regardless of how influential the encroachers are," he said.</p><p>At the backend, the department has digitally mapped the forest boundary. The system will use historical maps available in the public domain and an AI-driven algorithm will be run to check changes in the land cover. The satellite imagery will be used as digital evidence for encroachment.</p>.<p>The system provides alerts on forest cover change every 21 days. The alert will be verified and forwarded to the divisional officers for necessary action. The timely alert system will help eviction, conduct inquiry and manage the forests with accountability.</p><p>Reiterating the department's commitment to increase the forest cover from 22 per cent to 33 per cent of the state's geographical area, Khandre said the pre-2015 encroachments (including patta land) below 3 acres will be exempted. "Even the remaining 22 per cent is facing threat from encroachment. This has to be stopped," he said.</p>
