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Haridwar's 'Virtual Wall' to Guard Kumbh Mela from Wildlife
7 May
Summary
- Virtual wall installation planned in Haridwar's Shyampur range.
- Solar-powered AI cameras with night vision will monitor animal movements.
- System aims to reduce response time for wildlife intrusions.
- 16 elephants died in Haridwar over the past five years.
Ahead of the 2027 Kumbh Mela, the Haridwar forest division is proposing a novel 'virtual wall' to manage wildlife intrusions. This system will be installed in the Shyampur range, a critical corridor between Rajaji Tiger Reserve and local residential areas, known for elephant, leopard, and tiger movements.
The initiative, part of the Human-Animal Conflict Mitigation System, involves deploying 50 solar-powered AI cameras with night vision capabilities. These cameras will feed live data to a control room, enabling swift dispatch of Field Response Vehicles if animals approach pilgrim zones. High-frequency sound systems are also planned to actively deter wildlife.
This proactive measure is crucial as Haridwar anticipates approximately 15 crore pilgrims for the Kumbh Mela, with major gathering sites located near the Shyampur range. Forest officials emphasize that the system will significantly reduce response times and provide real-time tracking of animal movements. Data indicates that 16 elephants have died in Haridwar in the last five years, with eight found in the Shyampur range, highlighting the urgency of this solution.
