What does the Forest Survey of India do and what is a Field Inventory Scientist's role?

The Forest Survey of India (FSI), headquartered in Dehradun, conducts biennial assessments of India's forest and tree cover through the State of Forest Report (SFR) using satellite remote sensing and field verification. A Field Inventory Scientist conducts ground-truthing of satellite-derived forest cover data, establishes and monitors permanent sample plots (PSPs) for carbon stock and biomass estimation, operates GIS software to update forest maps, and contributes to the assessment of India's forest carbon under REDD+ reporting for UNFCCC. FSI also maps forest degradation, encroachments, and fire-affected areas.

What GIS and remote sensing topics are tested in FSI scientist exam?

The exam tests knowledge of satellite image interpretation (Landsat, IRS, Sentinel series), supervised and unsupervised image classification for forest cover mapping, NDVI and other vegetation indices, GPS field survey techniques, projection systems and coordinate geometry, digital elevation models, change detection analysis, and GIS software operations (ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS). FSI uses RESOURCESAT-2 data for India's national forest inventory, so familiarity with ISRO satellite specifications is advantageous.

What forestry science topics are important for FSI exam?

Key forestry topics include silviculture systems (clear felling, selection, shelter wood, coppice), tree identification and dendrometry, forest ecology and succession, forest mensuration (basal area, growing stock, biomass estimation), forest carbon stock assessment methods, biodiversity assessment using species richness and diversity indices, India's forest types (Champion and Seth classification), National Forest Policy 1988, Forest Conservation Act 1980, Wildlife Protection Act 1972, and India's INDC commitments on creating 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon sink through forests.

How does the FSI relate to the Environment Protection Act 1986 and EIA process?

FSI provides technical input on forest cover and land use for EIA processes under the EIA Notification 2006. When projects requiring forest land diversion are proposed, FSI data on forest cover density, biodiversity, and carbon stock is used in Forest Clearance applications under the Forest Conservation Act 1980. FSI's biennial State of Forest Reports are cited in environmental clearance hearings to establish baseline forest cover. The Environment Protection Act 1986 empowers the central government to restrict activities in ecologically sensitive areas, and FSI data supports the notification of Eco-Sensitive Zones around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

What is India's current forest cover and how is it measured by FSI?

According to FSI's State of Forest Report (SFR), India's total forest and tree cover is approximately 25% of the total geographical area. FSI classifies forest cover into Very Dense Forest (canopy density >70%), Moderately Dense Forest (40-70%), and Open Forest (10-40%) using satellite imagery with spatial resolution of 23.5m from IRS LISS-III sensor. The assessment is done every two years and the latest SFR is typically released in January of the following year. India's target under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement is to create 2.5-3 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink through forest and tree cover by 2030.