Using satellite imagery to locate innovative forest management practices in Nepal

There is a critical need to locate innovative forest management institutions that significantly impact forest cover change. This research presents an initial 'proof of concept' methodology which combines deforestation theory with satellite image change analysis to identify forested areas that, theoretically, should probably not be there. Ten such 'forest anomalies' are identified using temporal analysis of Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery of the Chitwan district in Nepal, linked with a geographical information system database on roads and a visual estimation of topography. A rapid field reconnaissance is undertaken to determine which of these anomalies exhibit interesting forest management innovations. Based on this information, one case is selected for detailed field study: this turns out to be a major case of community forestry and a premier ecotourism initiative that we were not aware of until we undertook this analysis. The utility and limitations of the method are described for monitoring trends in forest cover change.