What are smart scarecrows being used for in the Sundarbans?

Smart scarecrows, also known as ANIDERS, are being used in the Sundarbans to deter tigers and other big cats from entering villages and agricultural fields, thereby reducing human-animal conflict.

How do these smart scarecrows work to deter tigers?

These solar-powered devices use sensors to trigger loud sounds and intense lights, which startle the animals and encourage them to move away from human habitations without causing harm.

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Smart Scarecrows Tackle Tiger Menace in Sundarbans

Q: Where have the smart scarecrows been deployed in the Sundarbans?

Four smart scarecrows have been installed at strategic locations along the forest-village interface in the Herobhanga compartment of the Raidighi range in the Sundarbans.

10 Feb

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Summary

Solar-powered smart scarecrows are now guarding Sundarbans villages.
These devices use light and sound to deter tigers without harm.
Four units were installed at forest-village interfaces, more to come.

Smart Scarecrows Tackle Tiger Menace in Sundarbans

Innovative solar-powered 'smart scarecrows' are being deployed in the Sundarbans to address the growing issue of human-tiger conflict. These devices, also called ANIDERS (Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System), are designed to deter tigers and other large predators from entering human habitations and agricultural fields, particularly in the buffer zones around protected areas.

Four such devices were recently installed at strategic locations along the forest-village interface in the Herobhanga compartment of the Raidighi range, an area frequently reporting tiger intrusions. Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), which provided the devices, plans to install four more soon. These scarecrows utilize sensors to trigger loud sounds and intense lights, startling animals and encouraging them to retreat without causing harm.

AI cameras will also be integrated with the ANIDERS at these locations to provide both alerts and visual identification of the animals. This initiative aims to find sustainable, cost-effective, and non-lethal solutions for conflict mitigation in the unique mangrove ecosystem of the Sundarbans. The South 24 Parganas forest division, home to over 20 tigers, is experiencing an increase in tiger population density, highlighting the need for such measures.