Explained: Now online, a map tracking migrants, real time

The map matches “time and spatial data, on administrative facilities in the area, transportation and healthcare facilities of an area and summaries, on the fly, in real time of people passing by,” said Jagdeesh Rao, CEO of FES.

India Observatory was set up in December 2019, with FES focused on ecological issues about forests, water bodies, conservation, etc. that needed “a bird’s eye view or a satellite’s vision”. “We had started getting an ability to track natural habitat for all of India. We had data over 1,800 parameters which we mapped… But when Covid-19 broke out, hundreds of persons came forward and we decided to recraft the site to take into account movements of people, we formed a group called RCRC (Rapid Community Response to Covid). Placing all the information we have about resources and infrastructure on the ground, along with needs of people passing through or stopping over, needing food, financial support, medical care or facing any other threat, we have a proper grid available, updated regularly. So a click on the map can tell us of the people who are travelling, the issues they have and the resources of the area. The local groups can reach them and provide support.”

Source :Indian Express

Full Article: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/coronavirus-india-lockdown-now-online-a-map-tracking-migrants-real-time-6427104/

Written by Seema Chishti | New Delhi |