Sudan forestry sector program 2009 GIS unit. Establishing the Land Resource Survey and Information Centre

Abstract

The primary mission of the project is to create a Land Resource Survey and Information Centre in Juba with the necessary knowledge, computer equipment, GIS-software and the satellite images to map and monitor land resources. The office and its employees will be the independent land cover mapping authority in Southern Sudan. The Norwegian role is to support capacity building in the institution. The actual survey, mapping and monitoring activities should be carried out by the institution itself. The project was a continuation of work started in 2008. In 2009, more advanced training in GPS, digital mapping, remote sensing and production was carried out and a forest inventory was started. The office was upgraded with an installation of a battery backup system witch provide power enough to run the office for 3-5 hours in case of no electricity. A network of contacts with other relevant activities in South-Sudan was also established. The first land cover map produced by the office, covering the area between Yei and Juba, was produced based on interpretation in satellite images and verification in the field. The map “Forest reserves in Sothern Sudan” was upgraded to show the known forest reserves included as polygons with their actual shape and size.