GIS, GPS applications to help map wildlife habitat
Plan aims at recording data about populations and locations of animals
The data collected through the software will help in monitoring the health of animals and the food being provided to them at wildlife parks, zoos and breeding centres across the province. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
The Punjab wildlife protection department has decided to ensure tracking of animals and birds along with mapping of their habitats and obtaining the location of wildlife through Global Positioning System (GPS). In this regard, training will also be provided to all regional and district officers of the province.
This was stated by Punjab Wildlife Director General Khalid Ayaz Khan while addressing a training workshop held recently related to the Arc Geographic Information System (ArcGIS) software.
The event was held under the Green Pakistan Programme at a local hotel in Lahore. Green Pakistan Programme Project Director Mian Hafeez Ahmed was also present.
Khalid Ayaz said that it had been decided to carry out mapping of the wildlife under the ArcGIS by collecting information about the forest life from all over the province.
“For the purpose, 40 officers of the department are being imparted ArcGIS training to map the wildlife data,” he added.
He maintained that it would be possible to track wildlife animals and birds through the technology along with the mapping of their habitat. He mentioned the GPS will help locate their location. “Eight GIS centres are being established in all the regional offices of the province which will be affiliated with one central GIS lab,” the DG said.
He pointed out that all the trained officers will provide wildlife data to GIS labs in their districts which will then convert it into a map with the help of advanced scientific software.
Importing zoo animals: Punjab Wildlife Department unable to secure permit
“With the help of this advanced software, it will be easy to find out about the improvement and destruction of wildlife habitat. It will also help in acquiring data regarding population of animals and birds so that immediate strategy can be devised if needed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Green Pakistan Programme Project Director Mian Hafeez Ahmed said that the data collected through the software would help in monitoring the health of animals and the food being provided to them at wildlife parks, zoos and breeding centres across the province.
He said that in the second stage, the plan of the wildlife projects will also be linked with the ArcGIS system.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2018.
The Punjab wildlife protection department has decided to ensure tracking of animals and birds along with mapping of their habitats and obtaining the location of wildlife through Global Positioning System (GPS). In this regard, training will also be provided to all regional and district officers of the province.
This was stated by Punjab Wildlife Director General Khalid Ayaz Khan while addressing a training workshop held recently related to the Arc Geographic Information System (ArcGIS) software.
The event was held under the Green Pakistan Programme at a local hotel in Lahore. Green Pakistan Programme Project Director Mian Hafeez Ahmed was also present.
Khalid Ayaz said that it had been decided to carry out mapping of the wildlife under the ArcGIS by collecting information about the forest life from all over the province.
“For the purpose, 40 officers of the department are being imparted ArcGIS training to map the wildlife data,” he added.
He maintained that it would be possible to track wildlife animals and birds through the technology along with the mapping of their habitat. He mentioned the GPS will help locate their location. “Eight GIS centres are being established in all the regional offices of the province which will be affiliated with one central GIS lab,” the DG said.
He pointed out that all the trained officers will provide wildlife data to GIS labs in their districts which will then convert it into a map with the help of advanced scientific software.
Importing zoo animals: Punjab Wildlife Department unable to secure permit
“With the help of this advanced software, it will be easy to find out about the improvement and destruction of wildlife habitat. It will also help in acquiring data regarding population of animals and birds so that immediate strategy can be devised if needed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Green Pakistan Programme Project Director Mian Hafeez Ahmed said that the data collected through the software would help in monitoring the health of animals and the food being provided to them at wildlife parks, zoos and breeding centres across the province.
He said that in the second stage, the plan of the wildlife projects will also be linked with the ArcGIS system.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2018.