Eluru, Andhra Pradesh | June 2025 — In a landmark development for precision forestry, a pilot project using drone imagery for tree count and volume estimation has been successfully validated at the Tadikalapudi Eucalyptus plantation in the Eluru Forest Division of Andhra Pradesh. The project showcases how emerging technologies can be adapted to address longstanding challenges in forest monitoring and inventory.
A Vision Sparked at APFDC: The Genesis
The genesis of this initiative can be traced back to a forward-thinking idea from R.P. Khajuria, IFS, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC). A seasoned forester and innovator, Khajuria envisioned using drone-based monitoring systems to enhance the precision, efficiency, and transparency of plantation management in Andhra Pradesh.
Given APFDC’s extensive experience in commercial eucalyptus plantations, Khajuria identified a unique opportunity to bring high-resolution drone imaging and artificial intelligence into the mainstream of forest inventory practices. His proactive leadership and commitment to innovation laid the foundation for the pilot to take shape.
This vision was soon translated into action, as a cross-functional team of forestry and tech professionals came together to explore the feasibility of detecting individual trees and estimating their volume from aerial imagery.
Technical Innovation: A Custom Algorithm for Indian Forestry
One of the most important outcomes of the pilot is the development of an in-house algorithm to detect trees and estimate their volume using drone-generated orthomosaics and surface models. While several global tools exist, most fall short in heterogeneous Indian conditions where canopy forms, terrain types, and planting patterns vary widely.
The algorithm was trained to identify individual tree crowns, calculate canopy area, and infer volume using allometric equations specific to eucalyptus plantations. The process integrates computer vision, geospatial processing, and AI techniques, enabling tree-level monitoring at scale.
The breakthrough lies not only in image analysis but in the ability to generate field-validated, verifiable biomass estimates—a critical requirement for carbon projects and sustainable forestry programs.
Ground Validation at Tadikalapudi
To validate the model’s effectiveness, field team members conducted an intensive ground-truthing exercise at Tadikalapudi plantation, managed by APFDC. The site was ideal for this test, given its documented planting history, uniform eucalyptus plots, and accessibility.
The ground validation involved:
- Manual tree counts within selected plots
- Tree girth and height measurements
- Comparison of field data with algorithm-predicted outputs
The results were very encouraging: the tree count accuracy exceeded 95%, while volume estimates were within a reasonable error margin compared to on-ground measurements. The pilot confirmed that drone imagery, when coupled with a reliable algorithm, can serve as a robust tool for forest inventory and carbon stock assessment.
Strong Field-Backend Synergy
The success of the pilot rested on strong collaboration between field operations and backend analytics. Drone teams ensured high-quality image capture and coordinated field observations, while backend specialists managed image processing, model tuning, and data calibration.
This hands-on synergy is a model for interdisciplinary teamwork, where tech meets terrain—bridging drone data with on-ground forestry expertise.
Leadership and Strategic Support
In addition to Mr. Khajuria’s vision, the pilot also benefited from strategic guidance and support by experts who have long championed digital innovation in natural resource management. The leadership ensured the initiative aligned with emerging standards in carbon monitoring and digital forestry.
Together, the technical and strategic leadership team created the space for innovation, experimentation, and scale-up thinking—making this initiative not just a pilot, but a proof-of-concept for wider adoption.
Scaling Potential and Future Applications
The successful validation of this pilot opens up exciting avenues for scaling drone-based forestry monitoring across landscapes and species types. Several promising applications are under consideration:
- Carbon Project MRV: Automated tree count and volume estimation can support baseline development and periodic monitoring in ARR (Afforestation, Reforestation, Revegetation) and ALM (Agroforestry) carbon projects.
- Forest Department Operations: Routine enumeration of plantations and degraded forest areas can be done with greater speed and accuracy using drones.
- Agroforestry Subsidy Verification: State governments can deploy this model to verify tree planting under agroforestry schemes and farmer incentive programs.
- Urban and Semi-urban Tree Mapping: City corporations and municipalities can use similar tools to monitor urban tree cover and green index improvements.
The algorithm is being further refined to handle multi-species detection, differentiate between tree and non-tree vegetation, and integrate multispectral imagery for canopy health assessments.
Integration with Digital Platforms
Work is already underway to integrate this drone-based data with mobile and GIS dashboards. This will allow forest officers, plantation managers, carbon auditors, and even donors to access real-time insights from the field—supporting greater transparency and accountability in forestry programs.
A digital interface, aligned with India’s Forest and Carbon MRV standards, could make this solution replicable and policy-aligned for broader national and international adoption.
A Model for Public Sector Innovation
This pilot represents a successful convergence of forestry, technology, and leadership—demonstrating that government-led innovation, when paired with agile teams and the right support ecosystem, can deliver impactful results.
The initiative reflects the forward-looking culture fostered by APFDC under the leadership of Mr. Khajuria, and points to a future where drone-based digital forestry becomes an integral part of India’s green growth strategy.
The success of the Tadikalapudi pilot sets a precedent for scalable, tech-driven monitoring of India’s forest assets, and reaffirms the power of visionary leadership and team excellence in delivering real-world impact.