Rajasthan deploys AI to fight tiger poaching

Rajasthan's forest department is launching an innovative AI-based surveillance system to combat poaching and monitor wildlife movements across its sanctuaries. This initiative aims to provide round-the-clock protection for tigers and other animals.

The advanced system integrates thermal and optical cameras, drones, solar power, and specialized software for comprehensive monitoring. In its initial phase, 56 surveillance setups and five drones were deployed across critical reserves like Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserves. The ongoing second phase will add 15 more systems to other protected areas within the next three months.

This technology will enable real-time tracking of wildlife, providing instant alerts for suspicious activities related to poaching. It will also help mitigate human-wildlife conflict by notifying forest officials when animals approach nearby settlements, allowing for prompt intervention.

The dual-sensor cameras offer an eight-kilometer range and 360-degree coverage, capable of identifying individual tigers by their stripe patterns and pinpointing any detected activity.