DENR uses geo-tagging in greening program

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 is now using the technology of geo-tagging in the implementation of the National Greening Program in Central Visayas.

Geo-tagging is the process of attaching coordinates and other location-specific information to pictures and videos, usually with a handheld device such as a camera or mobile phone that is enabled with global positioning system.

Isabelo Montejo, DENR-7 regional executive director, in a statement said that they use this geo-tagging system in order to ensure the integrity and accuracy of their NGP accomplishment which cover 1.5 million hectares of land with trees within the five-year period from 2011 to 2016.

Montejo said that DENR invested a significant amount of money for the purchase of geo-tagging equipment as well as for the training of forestry personnel on the use of the said technology.

The geo-tagging system, he said, utilizes GPS and web-based mapping to allow real-time monitoring of NGP locations, especially on getting accurate count of trees planted and their conditions.

Accurate maps of planted areas and their accessibility were two major elements lacking in past government reforestation programs, he said.

Geo-tagging would also help in monitoring seedling growth and mortalities for replacement with new seedlings in NGP sites.

He further said that with the technology, NGP accomplishments can now be easily tracked not only by the DENR management but also by the public who can access the program’s geo-tagging monitoring system through their website.

NGP, which is a climate change mitigation strategy, is a massive forest rehabilitation program of the present administration.

NGP was also designed to reduce poverty by providing alternative livelihood activities for marginalized upland and lowland households relating to seedling production and maintenance of newly-planted trees.

Likewise, the NGP also seeks to promote biodiversity conservation through the rehabilitation of the country’s forests, which serves as natural habitat for various species of plants and animals, the statement further reads.  (FREEMAN)