‘Backward’ Uttar Pradesh’s net-savvy babus

In the national horizon, Uttar Pradesh might be regarded as a ‘backward’ state, but some state government departments seem to be going out of their way to defy this impression.

At least that is what the latest effort by at least three departments through the ingenious use of the internet suggests.

The UP Forest Department is out to promote the famous Dudhwa Tiger Reserve while the Tourism Department is highlighting the Taj Mahal, and the Meerut district police is fighting crime. Nothing unique or new in that, except for the fact that these departments are now using social networking sites, like Facebook, to make direct contact with the people.

“This is the best way to approach people who find the police and police stations scary,” says Meerut DIG/SSP Prem Prakash. Soon after he took over as the Meerut police chief, he opened a new page on Facebook where anyone could report matters relating to crime control, and law and order directly to him.

“I check the page myself morning and evening. It has helped develop a better understanding between the police and the people, especially the youth who mostly use the internet,” he says.

No wonder that the Meerut police page on Facebook became an instant hit, being liked by 800 people on the first day itself. Also, the district police chief points out, the very first day, a woman reported a chain-snatching, and two of the culprits were nabbed within 24 hours. “Facebook is working as a third eye for us,” quips the official.

The UP Tourism Department (UPTD) has also set up a new professional team for social media management. The department plans to use Facebook, Orkut and Twitter to publicise places of tourist interest, tempting prospective tourists with the Taj.

The UPTD page on these sites would be interactive so that people can ask questions about the tourist destinations.

“The department will also create a blog of its own which would give detailed information about the places of tourist interest in UP,” said a senior department official. “We will encourage tourists to share their experience, photos and videos on these pages,” he added.

In the same vein, the UP Forest Department (UPFD) also has plans to promote the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) on social networking sites.

The national park is regarded as a wildlifers’ paradise, having about a hundred tigers. This park, spread over 680 sq km, is the only place in the world inhabited by five species of deer (‘barasingha’ or swamp deer, ‘cheetal’ or spotted deer, ‘pada’ or hog deer, ‘kakad’ or barking deer and ‘sambhar’).

It is also the last refuge for the critically endangered sub-species of the swamp deer (cervus duvauceli) ‘barasingha’ which is the state animal of Uttar Pradesh.

“We will give interesting information including details about actual tiger sightings by wildlife lovers,” said a UPFD official handling the internet project. “The idea is to evoke interest even among those people who may not be inclined to visit forest areas,” he added.