In a significant move to address the escalating issue of human-wildlife encounters, the Tamil Nadu government inaugurated a state-of-the-art, artificial intelligence-powered command and control centre on Saturday. This new facility is dedicated to managing man-animal conflicts within the ecologically sensitive Gudalur forest division of the Nilgiris district.
A Transformative Step for Conflict Management
This initiative marks a transformative shift in the state's strategy, moving towards a model that is scientifically driven, enabled by modern technology, and focused on community involvement. The centre was officially opened by Nilgiris Member of Parliament, A Raja. The event was attended by Tamil Nadu Forest Secretary Supriya Sahu along with other senior officials from the forest department.
The Gudalur forest division has been identified as one of the most complex and conflict-prone landscapes in Tamil Nadu. Supriya Sahu explained that the region is characterised by fragmented reserve forests that are interspersed with extensive tea, coffee, and spice plantations, private landholdings, and dense human settlements. Crucially, this area also forms a part of historical elephant migration corridors.
Addressing the Root Causes with Technology
"Increasing habitat fragmentation, degradation of natural ecosystems, and disruption of traditional migration routes have led to a rise in man-elephant conflicts in the region in recent years," Sahu stated. She noted that conventional mitigation measures like trenches and solar fencing have proven insufficient. "Hence the need for a coordinated, technology-driven conflict mitigation system," she emphasised.
Established with an investment of Rs 6 crore under the Modernisation of the Tamil Nadu Forest Force Scheme, the centre's core mission is to enhance forest protection through the application of cutting-edge technology. A government press release detailed that the system will focus on monitoring 46 vulnerable locations. These spots were identified based on historical conflict data, analysis of elephant movement patterns, and thorough on-ground field assessments.
How the AI Surveillance System Works
Out of the 46 identified high-risk zones, 34 locations have been equipped with AI-enabled surveillance cameras. The remaining 12 locations feature more advanced AI-based monitoring systems capable of 360-degree detection. These 'edge AI' systems are designed to operate continuously, monitoring critical points around the clock.
The technology generates real-time alerts upon detecting animal presence, signalling potential conflict situations. These instant alerts are then communicated simultaneously to forest field staff for rapid response and to the local public through alert poles and SMS notifications. This dual-channel alert system is intended to enhance safety for both human communities and wildlife, allowing for timely preventive actions.
To ensure widespread public participation and swift reporting, the forest department has also activated a dedicated toll-free helpline number: 18004254353. This line is available for citizens to report man-animal conflicts, ensuring that information reaches authorities rapidly for coordinated intervention.
The launch of this AI command centre represents a proactive, modern approach to an age-old problem, aiming to create a safer coexistence between humans and animals in the biodiverse but challenging terrain of the Nilgiris.
