Forest staff begin logging animal sightings on mobile phones
The Jharkhand Forest Department has started an app-based wildlife census across all 36 forest divisions, bringing a practical change to how animals are counted and tracked in the state’s forests.
Instead of filling out paper registers after long patrols, forest guards are now using a mobile application to record wildlife sightings on the spot. Whenever an animal is spotted, details such as the species, location, time and nearby forest conditions are entered into the app and uploaded directly to the system.
Officials say this simple shift is expected to make a big difference. “Earlier, information would reach us after days or even weeks. Now, we can see what is happening in the forests almost in real time,” said a forest department official involved in the rollout.
Helping officials understand what’s happening on the ground
The data collected through the app will help the department get a clearer picture of animal movement and population trends. It is also expected to help identify sensitive areas that may need more protection or closer patrolling.
For frontline staff, the change is being seen as a practical improvement. “It saves time and reduces confusion,” said a forest guard posted in one of the divisions. “We can focus more on our work in the forest instead of paperwork later.”
Training and gradual adoption
Forest personnel across divisions have been trained to use the app, and officials say the system has been kept simple so it can be used even in remote areas with limited network connectivity. The department plans to fine-tune the app based on feedback from field staff in the coming months.
Part of a larger shift to digital tools
Jharkhand’s move reflects a growing effort by state departments to use technology for day-to-day governance. For the forest department, officials say the goal is not just better numbers, but a better understanding of the forests — and the wildlife that depends on them.
