AI-Powered Centre Launched in Tamil Nadu to Prevent Human-Elephant Conflicts
Image Source: Internet
Tamil Nadu has taken a significant step in preventing human-elephant conflicts with the launch of an AI-powered command centre in Gudalur. Building on the success of a similar centre in Madukkarai, which has seen zero elephant deaths on railway tracks in the last two years, the new centre aims to reduce conflicts in the region. The centre features 12 towers and 24 high-resolution thermal cameras that detect elephant movement within 150 feet of the track and alert forest and railway officials instantly. The system also detects other animals, including deer, gaur, leopard, and King Cobra. With a focus on prevention, the centre will integrate real-time monitoring, early warning systems, rapid response coordination, and community engagement to manage human-wildlife conflicts. The initiative has been designed as a scalable and replicable model, with the potential to serve as a template for other high-conflict landscapes in Tamil Nadu. The centre has been established at a cost of ₹6 crore and will be operated by trained personnel in shifts, with temporary watchers deployed to support frontline Forest Department staff. The launch of the centre marks a transformative step in the state's approach to managing human-wildlife conflicts through scientific, technology-enabled, and community-oriented interventions.
