Bhubaneswar: The Integrated Forest Monitoring and Command Centre was inaugurated by Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Labour and Employee’s State Insurance, Shri Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, at Aranya Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on July 22, 2026.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Odisha, Dr. K. Murugesan; Chief Project Director, OFSDP, G Rajesh; CF (IT and GIS) V. Karthick; Special Secretary Shri Swayam Mallick; and Director, Environment, Dr. K.S Pradeep, along with senior officers of the Department were present.
The state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in the journey of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha, towards technology-driven forest governance and sustainable natural resource management.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Shri Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said that the adoption of advanced digital technologies would further strengthen forest governance, enhance transparency, and support timely decision-making for the conservation and sustainable management of Odisha’s forest resources.
PCCF & HoFF Dr. K Murugesan said that the Command Centre is envisioned as a technology-enabled hub capable of integrating real-time field information, satellite-based monitoring, GIS analytics, and decision support systems to enable timely interventions for forest conservation, wildlife protection, and disaster response. It reflects the Government of Odisha’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for efficient, transparent, and sustainable management of forest resources.
The initiative reinforces Odisha’s leadership in adopting digital governance for environmental conservation and is expected to significantly improve operational efficiency, coordination, and service delivery across the Forest Department.
During the event, a detailed demonstration of the CA Land Bank, Integrated Forest Monitoring and Command Centre Dashboard, and Odisha Forest Management System Version II was conducted. This was followed by discussions on the Wood-Based Industries Rules and the Eco-restoration Policy.
The refurbished Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society website was also formally launched by the Minister. Two key publications were unveiled—the Souvenir of the 14th National Workshop of JICA-Assisted Forestry Projects in India and the Annual Report of Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project, Phase II (2025–26)—highlighting the project’s achievements, best practices, and collaborative efforts in sustainable forestry and community development.