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An evaluation of aerial photographs and photomaps for supporting community forestry in Nepal
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 1999 |
| Authors | Mather, R, |
| Journal Title | Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on the Development of Wood Science, Wood Technology and Forestry, Missenden Abbey, UK, 14-16 July 1999. |
| Pagination | 340-347 |
| Key Words | community forestry; forest management; geographical information; systems; information systems; mapping; rural population; surveying; aerial photography |
| Abstract | Large-scale aerial photographs (1:1,250 and 1:2,500 scale) were evaluated as visual aids for supporting participatory work by Forest User Groups (FUGs) and for participatory mapping of community forests in Nepal. Aerial photographs used with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) were also tested as a possible alternative to the labour-intensive chain-and-compass survey of community forests. The most important finding was that aerial photographs made information and issues surrounding forest management more accessible to non-literate people who comprise some 85 per cent of Nepal's rural population. Both aerial photographs and "photo-mapping" (the practice of mapping on transparencies placed over aerial photographs) were found to be powerful participatory tools. Additionally, early indications are that participatory use of aerial photographs combined with GIS technology may provide a meaningful, accurate and labour-saving means for surveying community forests. |
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