Environ ministry launches GIS based online support mechanism

Aimed at bringing transparency and reduce delays in regulatory clearances, the Environment ministry today launched the Geographical Information System (GIS) based online support mechanism to help in taking "informed" decisions.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the GIS-based "Decision Support System" will fast track the process of regulatory forest clearances for speedier economic growth while ensuring that development and protection of environment go hand-in-hand.
The system will also help officials in getting relevant information with just a click of the mouse as it will have the satellite imagery and details about the forest cover. Projects and other activities being carried out in the forests could be monitored.

"It would save time. It would facilitate in taking merit based decisions without delay and in a transparent manner," Javadekar said while launching the portal here.
The first phase launched today contains geo-referenced layers of forest cover as per the latest State of Forest Report by Forest Survey of India, forest types, Biological richness, landscape integrity, protected areas, tiger reserves and corridors.
"We talk a lot against corruption. It will only be corruption free system when through the utilisation of technology, we build up an informed decision mechanism," the minister said.

Citing an example of efficacy of the system, Javadekar referred to his recent Bhopal visit and said he was shown a system there by forest officials where whatever happening inside the forest could be seen live through google maps.

While referring to the earlier launch for portals for online submission of applications for grant of environment and forest clearance and Zoo Authority, the minister said this was the fourth big step taken by his ministry.
"The GIS-based decision support system...Those who want to put up a project and those who have to do its assessment, this will benefit both. This will give correct information and it cannot be tampered with," Javadekar said.