Forestry involves vast database on human resource development, land based information, project related activities, products and services, research and extension and public utilities. The use of Information Technology has come to play a vital role in planning, management and monitoring in forestry sector. The IT wing of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department makes the best use of computer hardware and software to assist forestry activities. In order to speed up the administrative function through data collection, storage and dissemination activities, Tamil Nadu Forest Department has been computerized upto the level of Ranges, which are the basic unit of administrative set up. IT utility has been taken up to the level of basic unit of administrative set up of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.

GIS is an excellent tool for the proper assessment, planning and management of forest resources. The IT wing of TNFD is in the forefront as far as use of Geographical Information Science is concerned. The personnel in the Tamil Nadu Forest Department get hands-on-training in computer operation, techniques of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) through the State-of-Art computer centres in Tamil Nadu Forest Academy, Coimbatore and Tamil Nadu Forestry Training College, Vaigai Dam. With the collaboration of Forest Survey of India, Dehradun and National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad, satellite and other relevant data are obtained, analysed and results arrived at which are largely utilized for the management of forests.