The Karnataka Forest Department is rolling out AI-enabled cameras and thermal drones to generate real-time alerts as part of a new strategy to address the growing human–wildlife conflict across the State.
Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, speaking in Kollegal, said shrinking forest habitats combined with rising wildlife populations have intensified encounters. He noted that a male tiger typically requires 14 sq km of territory and a female 8–10 sq km, yet Bandipur holds 190 tigers within 950 sq km, underscoring the pressure on habitats.
“With wildlife numbers exceeding available forest areas, coexistence is the only solution,” he said, stressing the need for stronger patrolling and public awareness in forest-fringe villages.
Real-time wildlife tracking
Command and Control Centres are already functional in Nagarahole, MM Hills, Kali and Madikeri. New centres will soon be opened in Chikkamagaluru, Bannerghatta National Park, Mysuru Division, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, BRT Tiger Reserve and Hassan, with a state-level command centre in Bengaluru set for launch after the Assembly session.
These hubs will use AI-powered cameras and drones to map wildlife movement and send immediate alerts to villages when animals approach human settlements.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Manoj Rajan said the system also tracks the location and activity of patrolling staff and pushes alerts to villagers through WhatsApp and other media.
New patrolling software
Khandre has instructed officials to improve on-foot patrolling using the newly developed e-Patrolling (e-Gasthu) software, alongside the existing M-STRiPES system in tiger reserves. He emphasised that efficient patrolling is crucial to reducing conflict.
The minister also cited similar advancements in neighbouring Telangana, where the Forest Department has launched a tiger protection cell that uses solar-powered CCTV cameras to monitor wildlife and human movement.