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Foresters to harness technology
Jul 22, 2009 (The Times of India - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
BANGALORE, India -- The Karnataka forest department could soon become one of the most hi-tech squads in conservation. A Rs 9-crore fund to upgrade technology in the department and keep all zones connected is likely to come through from the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).
This would mean personal digital assistance (PDA) phones for RFOs to act swiftly against forest crimes, establishment of a forest data centre and a tie-up with ISRO for satellite images to track forest fires.
The proposal to make the department tech-savvy came after chief conservator of forests (communication & information) M N Jayakumar visited Madhya Pradesh and was impressed with its technology. He wanted to replicate it in Karnataka. The project report proposes complete hardware support for all offices of the department.
To address the issue of sudden man-made and natural forest fires, the project proposes to involve Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). They can send automated messages to the deputy conservator of forests/range officers about forest fires and the exact geographical coordinates so that the officer or staff can reach the spot immediately to fight the fire. This is also part of the intensification of fire protection that the department is supposed to implement.
"We are planning to establish a forest data centre that will be upgraded regularly so that disseminating information to all the forest officers about everything to do with the department could be easy and quick. Approval is likely to come through anytime now," said Jayakumar.
Poaching in remote corners of protected areas will also be monitored through the PDA phones, which would be given to ground level staff. These GPS-enabled advanced phones can report crimes to the headquarters, take photographs and generate first information reports (FIR) at the site. "If not to the watchers, we will try and provide it to all DFOs and RFOs. At least 5,000 PDAs will be put to use," he added.
A geographical information support (GIS) will help in coordinating plantation drives and update on how many hectares have been completed and others.
Personal information of forest department staff will also be uploaded on to the forest data centre. Who is working on which project and their complete profiles will be accessible, and HR management could be done online.
GADGETS IN THE WOODS
The Rs 9-crore fund will help the department buy
--5000 PDAs: They are like small computers with access to internet, maps, camera and have other facilities
--GIS support: Can be used to locate and track plantation projects; Maps and images from ISRO to track forest phenomenons like fires
--Complete hardware support: This would include computer training of forest staff at all levels.
--A forest data centre
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