Vesac India To Launch Urban Forest Intelligence Pilot To Study Tree-Fall Risks

Navi Mumbai residents may soon have a better understanding of tree-fall risks in their urban environment, thanks to a new pilot study by environmental organization VesacIndia. Led by founder Vijaykumar Katti, the Urban Forest Intelligence (UFI) Pilot Study aims to provide a systematic approach to assessing the health and stability of trees in Thane and Navi Mumbai.

The initiative brings together experts from various fields, including botany, arboriculture, ecology, engineering, municipal services, disaster management, journalism and citizen participation. Together, they will examine trees at five representative sites in the two cities, focusing on factors that may indicate stress or instability well before a tree falls.

A key aspect of the research involves using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to organize observations, compare photographs and identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. According to Katti, this "Analysed Inference" approach uses technology to support, but not replace, human judgement based on scientific knowledge and field experience.

The UFI framework aims to create a common platform for different disciplines to share observations and build a more comprehensive understanding of urban trees. While the pilot cannot guarantee prevention of all tree-fall incidents, it seeks to encourage earlier identification of warning signs and better-informed decision-making, particularly during the monsoon season when tree falls are more frequent and disruptive.

VesacIndia has invited a range of stakeholders, including environmental journalists, botanists, arborists, ecologists, forest officials, municipal officers, engineers, disaster management professionals, researchers, students, resident associations and nature enthusiasts to participate in the pre-pilot interaction on August 9. The success of the pilot will be measured by its ability to foster a culture of observation and evidence-based dialogue around urban tree health.