Save environment with an SMS

AHMEDABAD: If a long stretch of trees near you is being cut, or a river or stream is giving out a foul stench because of toxic chemicals, you can now force government officials to act by sending an SMS. For the first time, people will have a say in saving the environment.

The SMS service, called EcoSampark, would be launched in the first week of August with Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environment Education ( CEE) acting as the nodal centre for registering cases for the entire country. The number will be announced a week before the launch.

The service will take voice complaints in regional languages too. CEE will also develop an interactive website for citizens who want to know more about the 42 environment-related laws.

Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh, who was in the city on Wednesday, said the service would begin in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana.

CEE director Kartikeya Sarabhai said, “A common citizen, concerned about the environment, would not know whom to approach and which laws apply. EcoSampark will be a single window grievance redressal system for him. If officials are cutting trees without permission to build a highway, if mangroves are being cut, or an industrial estate is polluting a water body, the complaints would be directed to the system."

The SMS and voice call reports would be sent to the Union environment ministry and also to the relevant state authority. A weekly report of the number of complaints redressed will also be generated for audit purposes.