App by Maha forest dept to give rescuers from MMR common platform

Thane territorial wing of state forest department will unveil mobile app Praani Mitra on Tuesday

Wildlife rescuers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and individuals across Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) will now have a common platform to collect, manage and organise animal rescue and rehabilitation data.

App will connect and bring all stakeholders rescuing animal on record and will provide reference point in the future (Pic for representation)

Thane territorial wing of state forest department will unveil mobile app Praani Mitra on Tuesday, International Day for Biological Diversity, at chief conservator of forest’s office in Thane. The app will connect and bring all stakeholders rescuing animal on record and will provide reference point in the future.

Forest officers said while the app is ready, Tuesday’s event will be a beta launch. “Between 10.30am and 12pm, we will explain the benefits of the app and register all rescuers and NGOs involved. If there are any modifications required, they too will be done,” said Jitendra Ramgaokar, deputy conservator of forest, Thane.

He added there are several reports of wildlife rescues across MMR, but details are unavailable with the forest department. “It becomes difficult to compile all data. Secondly, we do not get the location where an animal was found and it becomes difficult to identify the natural habitat. The idea is to populate the app and develop a database for MMR, and conserve biodiversity better,” said Ramgoakar, adding there will be more clarity not only for the department but for the civic body as well. “These bodies cannot disassociate themselves from rescues taking place within municipal limits.”

The honorary wildlife wardens from Thane – Pawan Sharma, Mumbai city – Sunish Subramaniam Kunju, Mumbai suburbs – Mayur Kamath, Raigad – Ulhas Thakur, and Palghar – Dhaval Kansara, circulated and invited wildlife rescuers from across MMR for the event. “Through a common platform, monitoring rescue activities will become easier. Centralising data will also boost systematic and scientific conservation efforts,” said Sharma.