Nagpur to Implement AI-Powered Bioacoustics for Wildlife Surveillance
In a significant move to enhance forest safety, the state government is preparing to launch an innovative AI-driven bioacoustics-based surveillance system. This technology is specifically designed to detect the presence of tigers and leopards in villages situated along forest fringes in the Nagpur region.
Official Announcement at Times Principals Conclave 2026
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Harssh Poddar made this revelation during his address at the Times Principals Conclave 2026 on Saturday. Poddar, who also serves as the chief executive officer of Marvel, highlighted that this project is one of the first major initiatives by Marvel. Marvel is a state government-owned special purpose vehicle established to develop artificial intelligence solutions for various government departments.
Project Focus on Preventing Human-Wildlife Conflict
The primary objective of this project is to prevent human-wildlife conflicts through advanced early detection and warning systems. Poddar emphasized that traditional camera-based surveillance methods have notable limitations, particularly because big cats like tigers and leopards are stealthy predators, most active during dawn and dusk periods.
Drawing from extensive wildlife behavior studies, Poddar explained that the most reliable indicator of a predator's presence is the alarm call emitted by prey species. These include animals such as sambar deer, chital, langurs, and peacocks. By monitoring these vocalizations, the system can provide timely alerts to nearby communities.
How the AI Bioacoustics System Works
The AI system developed under this project utilizes bioacoustics technology. It involves an artificial intelligence model that has been meticulously trained to listen for specific alarm calls of prey animals. Upon detecting such a call, the system automatically triggers alerts in adjacent villages through mechanisms like sirens or flashing lights.
Poddar noted that among the various prey species, the sambar deer's alarm call is considered highly reliable. This is because sambar deer typically signal danger only when a genuine threat, such as a tiger or leopard, is present. In contrast, peacocks may vocalize even in response to minor disturbances, making their calls less dependable for accurate threat assessment.
Nagpur's Forest Belts and Conflict Zones
Nagpur district encompasses three major forest belts: the Pench Tiger Reserve in the northeast, the Umred-Karhandla Tiger Reserve in the east, and the Bor Tiger Reserve in the southwest. Poddar pointed out that most incidents of human-wildlife conflict, including fatal tiger attacks, occur in villages located on the fringes of these reserves.
This new surveillance initiative aims to mitigate such risks by providing early warnings, thereby enhancing safety for both wildlife and human populations in these vulnerable areas.
