Forest Department staff in seven forest ranges in Coimbatore Forest Division were given training to use M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tiger-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status), an exclusive tiger monitoring application developed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Officials said that the training was given to use a lighter version of the M-STrIPES app which was used for recording details of daily patrolling throughout the year.
A full-fledged version of the app was used for tiger census across the country.
The app would be used for daily patrolling in 46 beats in Coimbatore Forest Division. An Android mobile phone and a power bank had been given for patrolling in each beat.
Data
The app would work online and offline, and data recorded in which could be compiled easily.
As it recorded GPS coordinates of locations entered during patrolling, superior officers could identify if any place assigned to the staff was not covered.
While Forest staff, from forest range officer to anti-poaching watchers, attached to Madukkarai, Pooluvampatti and Coimbatore ranges were given training to use the app on Friday, those attached to Periyanaickenpalayam, Karamadai, Mettupalayam and Sirumugai ranges were given the training on Saturday.
