Enabling Mangrove Conservation Through Mobile App
Godrej has conserved mangrove forest as values,ISO certification with Research Conservation Awareness. Challenge in conservation-inadequate knowledge for inadequate books, resource persons, identification tools. To overcome, Godrej's Wetland Management Services (WMS) dept developed Mangroves mobile app with ecosystem, taxonomic info & images for species identification. The App covers 67 mangrove sps in English and 10 Indian languages. Users can identify species from leaf flower location common/scientific name. It received appreciation by students, teachers, researchers, Government agencies, NGOs. It is covered widely by Indian AV, print, social media. It is downloaded in 107 countries with 4.8/5 rating. The App launched in 2017 with 24 sp in english was upgraded to 67 sp, 11 languages on users feedback. Godrej mangroves app is first app developed in Asia developed by a corporate. The app is available on Android iOS.
Context
Challenges addressed
Challenges: Validation of information & images, Translation to 10 languages, Validation of translation, Making user-friendly design, language, size of app
Location
Process
Summary of the process
The Mangrove mobile app was conceptualised by WMS Dept. WMS Dept compiled information and images. It translated English version to 10 Indian languages. It developed framework of mobile app. It invited GITL to develop the app. GITL designed and developed the app. It pilot tested the app with select users and incorporated their feedback for app enhancement. WMS Department is owner of the app. It disseminates the app through nature trails, webinars, conferences, newspaper & magazine articles, research papers, social media and other communication channels. It receives users feedback and incorporates select feedback for app enhancement.
Building Blocks
Wetland Management Services Department
Wetland Management Services Department of Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd conceptualised mobile app. It compiled required information, images and got validation from subject experts. It facilitated translation of app to 10 languages. It disseminated the app nationally & internationally
Enabling factors
Existing knowledge about mangrove ecosystem, existing mangrove images, network with subject experts
Lesson learned
One department or organization needs to take ownership of the initiative. Validation of scientific information and images is important. Validation of translation is important. Mobile app needs to be user friendly and smaller in size. Mobile app can be downloaded once and then used offline because mangroves areas have poor internet connectivity
Resources
Godrej Infotech Limited (GITL)
Godrej Infotech Limited (GITL) is part of Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd. It is specialised in software development. It was commissioned by Wetland Management Department (WMS) for Mangroves app development. GITL received information, images, app framework, concept note and other guidence from WMS. GITL developed app and provided to WMS Dept. WMS Department piolt tested app with select stakeholders and received users feedback. This feedback was incorporated to finalise app information, design and user features.
Enabling factors
Technical expertise of GITL in mobile app development
Lesson learned
Mobile app needs to be user friendly, lighter in size. It needs to be pilot tested with select users for feedback. The feedback needs to be incorporated for app enhancement.
Impacts
The App visually & textually describes 67 mangrove & associate species in 11 languages and can be downloaded at no cost. It has helped forest guards and fisherfolk to identify local mangrove species in their local language. The App is used by graduate, post-graduate and doctoral students for taxonomic study. Godrej has published 3 scientific papers and made presentations in many conferences on the app. It has received feedback from UNDP, UNISCO, IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group, Global Mangrove Alliance, Mangrove Alliance Project, African Network of Young Leaders etc. It received feedback from teachers, researchers, NGOs of Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Netherlands, Haiti, Gambia, Papua New Guinea, Canada, Antigua & Barbuda etc.
Beneficiaries
Forest Dept teachers students NGOs, fisherfolk Wildlife photographers Nature enthusiasts of 107 countries for mangrove research, conservation, awareness. Ph D students ecotourism guides use app for reference.
Sustainable Development Goals
Story
Godrej, India's one of the oldest business group found in 1897, has been conserving mangroves for 70+ years as organizational value, env policy and CSR. It wanted to engage society in mangrove conservation and initiated mangrove awareness programs for schools, colleges, corporates, NGOs etc. To overcome limitiation in outreach, Godrej's Wetland Management Services Dept (WMSD) designed Mangroves mobile app on its own in collaboration with subject experts to cover Indian species in 11 Indian languages. The app was covered widely by print, AV, social media. It is downloaded in 107 countries of total 130 countries where mangroves exist. This App is most widely used app in the world and only app developed by a corporate. It received appreciation and feedback from international NGOs, researchers etc. It has enabled mangrove conservation by enabling correct species identification and providing ecosystem information to users. The App helped Godrej win two national awards.
