If the police can be reached on a 100 number, or the Fire Department on 101, why not the Forest Department? More than 154 years after the formation of the department, there will finally be a helpline and control room to receive complaints and queries. The hope is that the control room will finally allow citizens to anonymously lodge complaints of illegal tree felling, wildlife crimes and other violations. Barely a few months after the helpline was launched, a tip-off led to an inquiry against two forest officials accused of corruption. CM’s medalsThe helpline is not the only police model being adopted by the Forest Department.

Source: The Hindu January 16, 2018 18:11 UTC