Date: 2026-04-10Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
National Authority CAMPA organises National Workshop on Settlement and Digitisation of Forest Boundaries, in New Delhi; to accelerate GIS-based Forest Boundary Digitisation
**Executive Summary**
The National Authority CAMPA organized a national workshop to accelerate GIS-based forest boundary digitisation to comply with the 2011 Supreme Court judgment in the *Lafarge Umiam Mining* case. The initiative addresses historical mapping inaccuracies and mandates States and Union Territories (UTs) to integrate cadastral and revenue data into a standardized GIS database. Key actions include the preparation of time-bound Action Plans for FY 2026-27, to be implemented over a three-year period using Net Present Value (NPV) funds.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Objectives and Regulatory Compliance**
* **Supreme Court Mandate:** The workshop aims to enforce the July 7, 2011, directive requiring all States/UTs to create and update a geo-referenced forest land database.
* **Land Identification:** The initiative ensures the accurate identification of all forest lands, regardless of their legal notification status.
* **Improved Governance:** Digitisation is intended to strengthen the monitoring of forest diversions, protect customary rights, and resolve overlapping claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
**Technical and Institutional Framework**
* **Three-Year Plan:** A comprehensive technical framework was presented, focusing on DGPS/CORS-based geo-referencing and the establishment of GIS Decision Support Systems in every State/UT.
* **Data Integration:** The process requires the integration of cadastral and revenue data, supplemented by joint verification with Revenue Departments and public consultations.
* **National Oversight:** National Authority CAMPA will act as the apex body for policy oversight, quality assurance, and the establishment of a centralized National GIS Repository.
* **Technical Partnerships:** Specialized institutions, including FSI, IIRS Dehradun, BISAG-N, and NRSC Hyderabad, will be empaneled as National Technical Partners.
**Operational Implementation**
* **Odisha Model:** The workshop highlighted Odisha’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and notification protocols as an exemplary model for other states to follow.
* **Funding:** Implementation will be supported by Net Present Value (NPV) funds as per Rule 5(3)(g) of the CAF Rules, 2018.
**Impact Analysis**
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
States and UTs are now under strict pressure to rectify over fourteen years of slow progress regarding forest land geo-referencing. They must transition from outdated traverse sketches to modern GIS databases to resolve land misclassifications and encroachments.
**Action Required**
Prepare a time-bound Action Plan as part of the Annual Plan of Operations (APO) for FY 2026-27 and execute the digitisation framework over a three-year period.
**National Authority CAMPA**
**Impact**
The authority assumes a leadership role as the apex body responsible for standardising technical protocols across the country and ensuring intergenerational equity in forest governance.
**Action Required**
Empanel National Technical Partners, establish a National GIS Repository, and provide ongoing monitoring and technical standardisation.
**Revenue Departments**
**Impact**
Revenue Departments are identified as critical collaborators in the digitisation process to ensure the accuracy of land records and the resolution of boundary disputes.
**Action Required**
Engage in joint verification of forest boundaries and assist in the integration of cadastral and revenue data.
Key Entities Referenced
National Authority CAMPA: The apex body responsible for policy oversight, technical standardization, and monitoring of forest boundary digitization and compensatory afforestation.
GIS-based Forest Boundary Digitisation: A national initiative to create a geo-referenced database of forest lands to resolve boundary disputes, encroachments, and misclassifications.
Lafarge Umiam Mining Pvt. Ltd. vs. Union of India & Ors.: The 2011 Supreme Court judgment that mandated all States and Union Territories to create and update a GIS-based decision support database of forest land.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Rules, 2018: Regulatory framework providing the financial basis for the digitization project through Net Present Value (NPV) funds.
Forest Rights Act, 2006: Legislation governing the settlement of claims and public consultations required during the forest boundary digitisation process.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
National Authority CAMPA organises National
Workshop on Settlement and Digitisation of
Forest Boundaries, in New Delhi; to accelerate
GIS-based Forest Boundary Digitisation
Posted On: 10 APR 2026 8:45PM by PIB Delhi
The National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (National Authority
CAMPA), under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), organised
a National Workshop on Settlement and Digitisation of Forest Boundaries, in New Delhi today.
The landmark national workshop brought together senior officials of the Union Government, States and
Union Territories to chart a definitive course of action to accelerate GIS-based Forest Boundary
Digitisation, for compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the Lafarge
Umiam Mining Pvt. Ltd. vs. Union of India & Ors. judgment dated 7th July 2011.
The above judgment directed all States/UTs to create and regularly update a GIS-based decision support
database of geo-referenced forest land. Despite this unambiguous directive, a large number of States/UTs
are yet to show meaningful progress even after more than fourteen years. Historically, forest boundaries
have been recorded using traverse sketches and non-geo-referenced maps, leading to misclassification of
forest areas, untraceable encroachments, overlapping claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and
difficulties in implementing the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
This initiative will enable accurate identification of all forest lands irrespective of their legal notification
status, strengthen monitoring of forest diversions and compensatory afforestation sites. It will further
protect customary and statutory rights, and ensure compliance with Supreme Court mandates and national
forest policy — reinforcing transparency, accountability, and intergenerational equity in India’s forest
governance.
Key Highlights of the Workshop:
A comprehensive three-year technical and institutional framework was presented, encompassing
DGPS/CORS-based geo-referencing, integration of cadastral and revenue data, joint verification
with Revenue Departments, dispute resolution, public consultation under the Forest Rights Act,
2006, and establishment of GIS Decision Support Systems in each State/UT.
CEO, CAMPA Odisha presented an exemplary model approach detailing the Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs), documentation and notification protocols, and benefits of digitised
forest boundaries. Odisha was commended as an early and comprehensive implementer. Multiple
States and UTs presented case studies and time-bound action plans.
National Authority CAMPA will function as the apex body for policy oversight, technical
standardisation, empanelment of a National Technical Partner (from institutions such as FSI, IIRS
Dehradun, BISAG-N, and NRSC Hyderabad), establishment of a centralised National GIS
Repository, and monitoring and quality assurance.Each State/UT has been directed to prepare a time-bound Action Plan as part of the Annual Plan of
Operations (APO) for FY 2026-27, supported by Net Present Value (NPV) funds under Rule 5(3)(g)
of the CAF Rules, 2018, with a three-year implementation period.
The workshop was graced by Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests & Special Secretary,
MoEF&CC, as the Guest of Honour. The event was co-chaired by Shri Siddhanta Das, Hon’ble Chairman,
Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The Welcome Address and keynote presentation on the need and
objectives of the workshop were delivered by the Chief Executive Officer, National Authority CAMPA.
The Additional Director General (Wildlife), MoEF&CC, IGF, MoEF&CC and the Chairman, CEC, also
addressed the gathering.
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VM/GS
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