Identification of wood smuggling offence centers by means of GIS and planning for prevention thereof (Case study: Violations of forest habitants and wood smugglers in forestry project of Siahrood-Amlash)

Context and

Smuggling the forest woods and violations of forest habitants are assumed as the complicated problems of natural resources in Iran. These violations are occurred in the specified time and places. Through collecting these information and by means of geographical information system (GIS), the offence centers may be specified in each one of forestry projects and by compilation of project and preventive patrol by police force, forest guard and guarder may provide more conservation of this natural heritage.

By means of a data collection network 150x200m and systematic random method, the forest was tested. The geographic length and width of all spots therein forest habitant and smugglers’ violations observed as wood smuggling, branch cutting, cutting and unauthorized grazing of livestock were recorded in GPS and data collection forms of Forests Organization. Then, aiding GIS, a separate map was drafted for each case of violation.

According to the maps, it was concluded that the wood smuggling centers, branch cutting, cutting and livestock grazing have been occurred respectively only in 24, 15, 21 and 48% of the whole forest area and in other sports no offence is committed.

Upon drafting the offence centers by GIS and specifying their commitment time, the preventive patrol plan was compiled for forestry project management, in the event of running this program, the probability of crime detection will be increased.