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.
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.
"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.