Satellites to map forests The forests in the island are to be
remapped using satellite images, Forest Department Assistant
Conservator Nishantha Edirisinghe told the Daily News. "The
previous mapping was done in 1999. First we interpret forest
cover, grass lands, buildings and water areas through satellite
images, and then will go to forest lands to see whether the
images obtained are true. After categorizing into forest cover
classes the maps will be drawn using the CIS software" he said.
He also said that, the Department hopes to release this map
within next three months. "This will be of use to obtain
contemporary facts about remaining forests in Sri Lanka" he
added.