Will Tamil Nadu Implement AI Cameras to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Valparai Forest?

Chennai, Aug 18 (NationPress) The Forest Department is contemplating the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven cameras in Tamil Nadu's Valparai to mitigate the occurrences of human-wildlife clashes in the vicinity. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to leverage technology for monitoring animal movements and providing timely notifications to the nearby populace.

“We are investigating the implementation of AI systems to observe leopards, sloth bears, and wild elephants. The system will create a species-specific alert when an intrusion happens, allowing us to inform the public and avert possible conflicts. A comprehensive study is being conducted to determine where cameras should be positioned, the workforce needed, and the required infrastructure,” stated M. Suresh Krishnan, Forest Range Officer (FRO), Valparai Range.

The conclusions from this analysis will serve as the foundation for a proposal to the state government, along with a financial estimate for implementation.

The department has previously achieved success with comparable initiatives elsewhere. An AI-based monitoring system installed along railway lines in Madukkarai near Coimbatore has significantly reduced elephant fatalities caused by trains.

Encouraged by these results, officials are optimistic about extending this technology to forest-human interfaces in Valparai, an area where conflicts have frequently arisen.

In prior projects, a concept of “virtual fencing” was introduced to safeguard human settlements in at-risk regions.

Under the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII) program, 1,300 solar-powered smart fencing devices equipped with thermal sensors were set up—700 in Valparai Range and 600 in the Manomboly Range.

These ten-foot-high smart fences can detect animal movement from up to 100 feet away. Upon activation, they trigger sirens and flashing lights designed to deter animals and simultaneously alert nearby individuals.

“Residents are more alert when alarms sound, particularly during nighttime, which has significantly lowered accidental encounters,” remarked a staff member from the forest department.

Nevertheless, recent incidents involving children outside the protected zones have highlighted the limitations of the current system.

It is worth noting that two children of migrant tea workers were recently attacked by a leopard and a sloth bear in this area.

Officials believe that AI-enabled cameras could bridge this gap by establishing a broader surveillance network and issuing real-time alerts, thereby reinforcing existing safety measures. The proposed AI camera initiative is anticipated to be a significant step toward ensuring safer coexistence between humans and wildlife in the ecologically sensitive Valparai region.