CHANDRAPUR: Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has become the first tiger reserve in Maharashtra, and probably in the country, to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) based virtual wall to mitigate the rising man-animal conflict in its area.
The reserve management has installed the AI based virtual protection system at Sitarampeth village in Moharli buffer range of TATR with the help of Valiance Solutions, a technology solutions company.
The project, done under the guidance of deputy director, TATR (buffer), Kushagra Pathak involves the installation of cameras capable of transmitting images through an IoT platform to a cloud server, where processing is done using AI mechanism. The machine learning algorithms are used to identify tigers by comparing the obtained image with a database. In case of human-tiger conflicts, the images can be used to track tiger movements.
Further, alerts in the form of emails and messages are generated for forest officials in the event of tiger sightings. The virtual wall system is aimed at mitigating human-tiger conflict by creating a real-time monitoring system that can detect tiger movements and provide an early warning to the forest officials, thereby reducing the risk of attacks on humans and cattle.
TOI was the first to report the efforts of TATR management towards using AI based protection system to protect forest villages vulnerable to human-tiger conflict in its February 21 issue.
“We are delighted to partner with Valiance Solutions to implement this innovative technology. This virtual wall system is an excellent example of how technology can be used to address real-world challenges. It will significantly help in reducing the risk of human-tiger conflicts and ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife,” said deputy director Kushagra Pathak, who spearheaded the project.
The project has been well-received by the local community. People have expressed appreciation at the efforts made the park management to mitigate human-tiger conflict in their village. TATR management believe that the virtual wall system will go a long way in ensuring the safety of people while also preserving the natural habitat of tigers.
Pathak claimed that the installation of the virtual wall system at Sitarampeth village is just the beginning. TATR has plans to replicate this technology in other areas prone to human-animal conflicts. This project is a significant step towards addressing the issue of human-tiger conflicts, and it is hoped that it will serve as a model for other areas facing similar challenges, he added.
