Technology testing to mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict and promote co-existence in Jhargram Division: Proof of Concept
Man Animal Conflict is one of the main challenges before Biodiversity Conservation today. Maximum conflict situations are related to Elephants in West Bengal and Forest Department is adopting various strategies towards its mitigation with varying degrees of success.
Reaction to presence of elephants in human landscapes largely decides amount of damage caused and presence and trained response from Quick/Rapid Response Teams (QRT/RRT) of Forest Department minimizes the damages caused. Hence, early response by QRT/RRTs in conflict situations holds the key for effective mitigation of HEC.
JICA in collaboration with Forest Department, Government of West Bengal had deployed RESOLVE, a Washington DC based agency to try their technology of using AI enabled Trailguard cameras for detecting elephant movement at strategic locations inside forest and send alerts to selected recipients including QRT/RRT members within 30-45 seconds. The use of this technology has a potential to reduce response time of QRT/RRTs and thereby avoiding conflict situations and loss of life and property. The Proof of Concept has been completed on 29th February, 2024 and Final Report is available.
