Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 June 2025
In a significant move towards digital transformation and improved operational efficiency, the Government Saw Mill at Chatham on 6th June 2025, launched the Electronic-Saw Mill Application Resource Management and Tracking (e-SMART) application. Developed in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the application aims to digitize the mill’s key operations, making timber procurement and tracking more transparent and efficient.
The launch was held in conjunction with World Environment Day celebrations and was officiated by Mr. A.K. Biswal, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), in the presence of Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sinha, IFS, PCCF, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The e-SMART application is expected to significantly simplify the process of indent placement, sales, and other operations, benefiting the general public, government departments, and Small Scale Industrial (SSI) units. It will provide real-time data across the supply chain—from log intake to final sale—enabling improved management and swift resolution of logistical bottlenecks.
A key feature of the system is the integration of QR codes on each timber piece, ensuring faster sales and efficient inventory management. This move aligns with the broader governmental vision of leveraging information technology to enhance transparency and effectiveness in public service delivery.
Officials expressed confidence that the digital initiative would enhance accountability, reduce manual interventions, and set a new benchmark for resource management in the region’s forestry sector.