AI Wildlife Protection Chhattisgarh: Trial of AI based smart surveillance system has started in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, which will provide real-time monitoring of wildlife protection and illegal activities.
Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve AI Camera: To further strengthen wildlife conservation and forest protection, a trial of artificial intelligence (AI) based smart surveillance system has been started in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh. This initiative, launched under the guidance of Forest and Climate Change Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, is being done with the aim of protecting forests, reducing human-elephant conflict and effectively monitoring illegal activities.
There will be 24 hour monitoring through AI Camera and Smart Monitoring.
This smart surveillance system is much more advanced than ordinary CCTV cameras. It uses computer vision and machine learning technology to identify wildlife and suspicious activities by analyzing videos in real-time. As soon as any danger is detected, the system immediately sends an alert to the concerned authorities.
Hi-tech towers are being installed in remote forests
Forest Force Chief Mr. Arun Pandey, PCCF (Wildlife) Mr. Om Prakash Yadav and Area Director Mr. Gurunathan N.G. Under this project, P2P (Peer-to-Peer) modules and AI cameras are being installed on 70 to 80 feet high towers. With this, round the clock monitoring will be possible even in inaccessible and remote forests.
Trial is going on in these sensitive areas
Initial testing of the project is being conducted in Kulhadighat, Indagaon, Risgaon, South Udanti and Payalikhand North Udanti ranges bordering Odisha. Apart from being major corridors for elephants, these areas are also considered vulnerable to activities like poaching, timber smuggling, drug trafficking and encroachment.
AI camera will automatically identify wildlife and suspicious people
AI based cameras will be able to automatically identify key wildlife like Asian elephant, tiger, leopard and bear. Along with this, suspicious activities like poachers, wood smugglers, illegal infiltrators and encroachers will also be automatically detected. This entire system will be portable, so it can be easily installed at other places as per the need.
WhatsApp Alert will take immediate action
The system will immediately send information through WhatsApp to frontline forest staff and officials as soon as any wildlife or suspicious person is identified. This will make it easier to take action on the spot without delay and the forest protection system will become more effective.
Internet will reach inaccessible forests through P2P technology
A major feature of this project is peer-to-peer wireless technology. Through this, the 4G and 5G networks available in Mainpur area will be extended to anti-poaching camps and forest posts located 15 to 20 kilometers away. This will enable uninterrupted video streaming and real-time monitoring.
AI will become force multiplier among less staff
In view of the shortage of staff in the Forest Department, this AI based monitoring system will work as a force multiplier. This will increase patrolling capacity, reduce gaps in surveillance and allow continuous monitoring of sensitive areas.
Many modern technologies are already in use
Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve is already using thermal drones, satellite images and Google Earth Engine based geospatial analysis techniques. With the help of these technologies, wildlife conservation, forest fire management, encroachment detection and forest area monitoring are being done. The new AI system will make these efforts more effective.
Better results obtained from conservation campaign
In the last four years, the reserve has freed 956 hectares of forest land from encroachment and arrested more than 500 smugglers and poachers. Due to better conservation, rare species like tiger, elephant, Malabar pipe hornbill, Indian giant squirrel, flying squirrel, Indian paradise flycatcher, peregrine falcon, otter and tricarinate hill turtle have also been successfully documented here.
AI Based Wildlife Protection will become a model for the country
Experts believe that this smart monitoring network is one of the most advanced AI-based wildlife conservation initiatives in Central India. In future, this technology can also become an effective model for other tiger reserves and protected forest areas of the country.
Expenses up to Rs 3 lakh per tower
Each tower, P2P connectivity system, AI cameras, tower structure and necessary civil works will cost around Rs 2.5 to 3 lakh under the project. This investment will play an important role in further strengthening wildlife conservation, forest protection and modern technology based monitoring system.