Nigam, Rajeev 
texture,tone,pattern, size, shape and association etc. following broad cover types 
were delineated: 
Reserve forest areas ( closed forest, degraded forest/blank ), Block plantation, 
Strip plantation, Degraded Block Plantation, Scrub land and Grazing land/Degraded 
Pasture. 
iii. Ground truth data collection: Field checks estimation were conducted to verify 
the classification for this study having doubtful and confusing signatures , 
interpreted images, working sheets and Survey of India topographical maps was 
carried out to the field and necessary corrections were made by incorporating the 
details on the spot. The officials of the forest department were also consulted 
during the above study. 
iv. Final map preparation: The information regarding different categories of 
potential areas and existing status of forest as delineated and mapped were 
transferred onto the base map on 1:50,000 scale. 
V. Area calculation: The areas of different classes was calculated by using dot grid 
method. 
6.0 RESULTS 
Mapping of forest in Kurukshetra district by using Satellite Remote 
Sensing techniques, it has been found that there are very less forests in this district. The 
reserve forest area accounts for 1324 hectares which is 1.087 96 of the total 
geographical area of the district where as the total forest cover which includes reserve 
forest areas, degraded forest/blank ,strip plantations and block plantations accounts for - 
8567 hectares which is 7.03 % of the total geographical area of the state. (Table I). On 
the basis of different classes adopted for mapping of forest and other areas related to 
potential sites for afforestation schemes etc. and the areas calculated by dot grid method 
are listed as follows: 
6.1 EXISTING FOREST LAND 
As per the classification adopted by United Nations Educational Scientific 
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO-1973) which is based on the crown cover or 
cover density, the reserve forests have been categorized under the following broad 
heads on the basis of their canopy cover with respect to the ground area exposed 
under beneath. The said classification as such been adopted by Forest Survey of 
India (Ministry of Environment & Forests-Govt. of India) Dehradun: 
i. Closed Forest: It is an area with in the notified forest boundaries where the 
vegetation density (crown cover) is 40% or above which accounts for 1324 
hectares. In this category plants belonging to species Morus alba, Butea 
monosperma, Syzium cummini, Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus sp., Prosopis 
  
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