Gujarat Info Petro develops smart phone based tracking system

A software-based system for smart phone enabled surveillance and tracking has been developed by the State-run Gujarat Info Petro Ltd that would find diverse applications in sectors such as forests and agriculture.

This system would be of help in the conservation of endangered species such as the Asiatic lion in Gir and other flora-fauna found in the forests of Gujarat.

“We have developed a unique MIS system on GIS base for surveillance and tracking. It can be run on a Windows-operated mobile phone to identify the exact location of trouble prone areas in dense forests,” GIPL CEO, Mr Vijay Sharma, said.

“The system which updates the server over the air (OTR), eradicates the need for physical filing of data on a computer, and can also conduct digital surveys of the agricultural fields,” he said.

Management Information System (MIS) till now has been confined to laptop and desktop usage. It is widely used by the industry as an ERP solution for effectively managing organisations.

Superimposing, MIS data on Geographic Information System (GIS), for quick referencing had been a challenge so far for the ICT sector.

“A forest beat guard armed with such a software-driven mobile phone can help check acts of poaching, fire, tree-cutting and encroachments on forest land, by clicking a picture of the site and sending it through SMS to the server,” he said.

“The moment a picture (with the location, longitude and latitude) lands on the server an alert is generated to the concerned person and rescue teams can be rushed to the exact spot in a very short time,” Mr Sharma said, explaining how the system operates.

“Using the GPS feature, the location of the forest beat guard can also be tracked through a PDA (smart phone) based mobile surveillance system, so that the forest department can keep an eye on whether they are performing their duties or not,” Mr Sharma said.

GIPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the State-run Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC). The company has developed the technology for the Gujarat Forest Department.

The company is in the process of developing a system based on similar technology for the Gujarat Seed Certificate Corporation that would help in conducting surveys of the agricultural fields.

“We are developing a system for the State Seed Certificate Corporation that would help in surveying the field area and also help estimate its potential yield,” Mr Sharma said.

Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have evinced interest in adopting this mobile-based invention for surveillance and tracking.

The company recently bagged the best innovation award instituted by State ICT body Gujarat Electronics and Software Industries Association (GESIA).

The project has been supported by Gujarat’s Forest Department.