Khanan Prahari App Empowering Public Against Illegal Coal Mining
TFP Bureau, New Delhi, August 25, 2023:The Ministry of Coal has taken a decisive stride in the battle against illegal coal mining with the Khanan Prahari app, offering citizens a platform to report instances of unauthorized coal mining through geotagged images and textual inputs. As a part of the government’s e-Governance initiative, the corresponding web portal, Coal Mine Surveillance & Management System (CMSMS), has been developed in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Application & Geoinformatics, Gandhinagar, and CMPDI, Ranchi.
Illegal coal mining poses multifaceted threats, encompassing environmental damage, peril to miners, erosion of traditional livelihoods, and economic instability. Acknowledging the pivotal role of space technology, the government pursues a transparent approach against this menace, fostering public involvement. The Khanan Prahari mobile app amplifies citizens’ ability to contribute to this endeavor.
At its core, the Khanan Prahari app and CMSMS web portal are designed to galvanize public participation in the campaign against unauthorized coal mining. Key features of the app include:
Reporting Incidents: With a user-friendly interface, individuals can promptly report illegal mining by attaching photographs and explanatory notes, enhanced by GPS-enabled geotagging.
Confidentiality: User identities remain safeguarded, ensuring confidentiality and privacy.
Complaint Tracking: Users receive a unique complaint number, facilitating effortless tracking of complaint statuses within the Khanan Prahari app.
The response to the Khanan Prahari app has been remarkable, witnessing 483 complaints registered to date. Notably, 78 of these have been verified, resulting in appropriate actions being taken. The app is downloadable on Google’s Play Store for Android users and the Apple Store for iOS enthusiasts.
The Khanan Prahari app stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to leveraging technology and public partnership to combat illegal coal mining, safeguarding the environment, lives, and economy from the perils of unauthorized mining activities.
