Gudalur: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has launched an AI-powered Command and Control Centre in Gudalur, Nilgiris district, to address long-standing human-wildlife conflict in the region.
The initiative was highlighted by Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests, in a post on the social media platform X.
According to Sahu, the new system uses 46 AI-enabled thermal cameras to detect wildlife movement at an early stage and issue real-time alerts to people in vulnerable areas.
The setup is supported by round-the-clock monitoring and rapid response teams, with the aim of preventing encounters that often lead to injuries or fatalities.
Something incredibly exciting is happening in Gudalur in The Nilgiris District which has been facing serious human wildlife conflict for years but this is now set to change. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has just launched another AI-powered Command and Control Centre using 46… pic.twitter.com/EbrFJlOY6t
— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) December 24, 2025
The department is working towards minimising both human and wildlife deaths, with a stated objective of achieving zero casualties.
The project has been funded by the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission and has been implemented by the Nilgiris district forest administration.
Sahu credited District Forest Officer N Vengatesh and his team for executing the initiative, describing the effort as meticulous and driven by strong on-ground commitment.
She noted that while the project is still in its early stages, the system is already operational.
The Gudalur Command and Control Centre follows a “whole of landscape” approach and is described as one of its kind, marking a significant step in the use of artificial intelligence for wildlife management and conflict mitigation in Tamil Nadu.
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