Move started by forest officer gains momentum in state

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 22

The i-Hariyali App, which is gaining momentum in the state is the brainchild of Jalandhar-based officer in the Forest Department, who at present is posted as Conservator of forest, extension.

This mobile app has got a humongous response from the residents as it is one of the most trending app. With more than 2,70,000 downloads from the Google Play Store and 2,60,000 orders, around 10 lakh plants have already been collected by the users.

The man behind the app is Vishal Chauhan, who belongs to Jalandhar and is posted as the district forest officer, Hoshiarpur.

While speaking to The Tribune, he said, “During my tenure as DFO Hoshiarpur for three years, we realised that the technology was evolving fast, apps were being rapidly developed by various government departments to create interface between government and the citizens,” he said.

This app was launched as a component of Ghar Ghar Hariyali scheme on June 5 this year which is a part of Mission Tandurust Punjab of the state government. This android-based mobile application facilitates residents to select and collect plants of their choice, free of cost from the nearest nursery.

Vishal Chauhan said, “The app was first developed at the local level and was started as corporate social responsibility initiative by taking sponsorship.”

“The format was totally different when the app was conceptualised first and now it is map based. While the software version earlier was web based, now it is based on native application,” Chauhan informed explaining that while web based software had limitations, native can be skilled up to any level,” said Chauhan.

Not easy to launch it at state level

“It requires personal effort. We got reviews, positive and negative both when the app was first developed. We got to hear criticism too, but I took it positively and amendments were made accordingly,” recalled Chauhan.

“Earlier, the app was not anroid-friendly, but then we made some changes and brought it to a level where the app could be downloaded in any android phone,” he said.

He said highly populated districts like Patiala, Ludhiana and Sangrur were showing maximum response. The plants demanded are mostly ornamental, medicinal and the ones having fruit bearing quality.

“The mass movement and people participation can be gauged from the fact that people have started YouTube channels to promote the mobile app,” said Chauhan.

Android-friendly app

The mobile application has got a humongous response from residents. With more than 2,70,000 downloads from the Google Play Store and 2,60,000 orders, around 10 lakh plants have already been collected by users. Residents are able to select and collect plants of their choice, free-of-cost from the nearest nursery.