Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

Karnataka’s forest department launched a system to register FIRs online in cases related to wildlife and forests called Garudakshi.

The system will be implemented on a pilot basis in the Bengaluru Urban, Bhadravathi, Sirsi and Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary divisions.

About Garudakshi Portal

Aspect	Details
Objective	To curb crime in wild and forest areas by enabling online FIR registration and resolution of forest crime cases.
Pilot Locations	Bengaluru Urban, Bhadravathi, Sirsi, and Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary divisions in Karnataka.
Mandatory Registration	Registration of FIR using the Garudakshi portal will become mandatory after implementation.
Key Features	Legacy Case Registration Module: Handles old case records. Forest Offense Online Registration: Enables registration of forest-related offenses. Investigation Module: Facilitates systematic investigation of cases. Reporting and Analysis Module: Generates reports and enables case analysis.
Public Participation	The portal allows the public to lodge complaints about forest encroachment via mobile phones or email addresses.
Automation	Automatically generates formats for various reports and complaints.
Collaboration	Developed in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The program promotes sustainable forest management and wildlife conservation in Karnataka. The initiative aims to streamline the management of forest crime cases under the Forest and Wildlife Protection Acts and contribute to better management and protection of the environment.
Legal Framework	Facilitates resolution of cases under forest and wildlife protection laws.

The Garudakshi portal is expected to revolutionize the approach to combating forest crime, ensure transparency and encourage active community involvement in forest and wildlife conservation in Karnataka.

About Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)

The Wildlife Trust of India was established in 1998 in response to the numerous crises facing India's wildlife and natural habitats.

A team of three embarked on a mission to save the environment, which has now expanded to 150 full-time professionals.
The goal is to work with communities and governments to protect nature especially endangered species and endangered habitats.
The WTI is dedicated to protecting India's wildlife by working with local communities and governments on projects ranging from species rehabilitation to preventing illegal wildlife trade.

WTI works include:

help endangered species recover;
wildlife emergency response and rescue and rehabilitation;
empowering and assisting law enforcement to combat wildlife crime;
protection of natural habitats;
raising awareness of nature conservation;
promoting green livelihoods;
assist with nature conservation initiatives.

READ ABOUT

India's Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Wild Life (Protection) Act Rules Notification 2024

Source:

Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about Garudakshi Portal:

The portal aims to curb crime in wild and forest areas by enabling online FIR registration and resolution of forest crime cases.
It was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The Garudakshi portal aims to curb crime in wild and forest areas by enabling online FIR registration and resolution of forest crime cases.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Garudakshi portal was developed in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), not the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).