What's on Western Ghats? Watch it in your phone!

NOW you can see what's happening in the Western Ghats on real-time basis on your smartphone. Researchers at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bengaluru, on Friday announced the launch of the android version of the Western Ghats Spatial Decision Support System (WGSDSS). The app already has a web version. The Sahayadri Mobile App helps to visualise eco-sensitivity of the Western Ghats at the village or grid level.

- BOSKY KHANNA

The researchers have developed the app through integration of bio, geo, climatic, environmental and social variables. It can be downloaded from Play Store. Prof TV Ramachandra from CES, IISc, said this enhances transparency in governance while meeting societal needs, which helps in the prudent management of ecologically and hydrologically vital Sahyadri hill ranges. Visualisation of ecologically sensitive regions at disaggregated levels (grids/village) is essential for effective decision-making at decentralised levels like through biodiversity management committees towards sustainable management of natural resources.