Action plan to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Palakkad

In a bid to mitigate the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Palakkad district, the Forest Department, in collaboration with Indian Railways, is set to implement a series of cutting-edge action plans utilizing innovative technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The initiative, aimed at safeguarding both human and animal lives, is being carried out under the supervision of Centre for Management, a government-authorized institution operating under the Department of Public Administration.

The primary focus of the project is to develop new technologies that can monitor and prevent wild animals from entering human settlements. These technologies will also provide early warnings to the public, ensuring that they are informed in advance about the potential presence of wildlife in their vicinity. By leveraging AI, authorities can track the movement patterns of wild animals along the forest boundaries of the Palakkad Forest Division.

The real-time data collected will be sent to a control room, which then triggers a siren and strobe light system to force the animals back into the forest.

Thermal cameras and long-range infrared laser cameras are to be deployed in areas like Mayapuram and Parunthumpara to monitor wildlife movement with greater precision.

In the event where wild animals, particularly elephants, are confirmed to have entered residential areas, the Divisional Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), which operates under the Rapid Action Force Office in Olavakkode Range, will immediately inform local residents via real-time updates through social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.

This quick dissemination of information is expected to reduce the risk of potential human-wildlife encounters. The project, funded under the State government’s Asset Development Fund, is expected to be completed by the end of this month. A significant concern in the region has been the rising number of wild elephants being killed by trains on tracks that pass through the Palakkad Forest Division.

To address this, efforts are under way to install an Elephant Intrusion Detection System (EIDS) along the railway lines. The first phase of the system is already operational in the Walayar region, where it has been installed 50 meters from the tracks. When an elephant approaches the sensor-equipped cables, the system notifies the Assistant Station Master (ASM) at nearby railway stations. The ASM then alerts the train’s loco pilot, allowing them to reduce the speed of the train and avoid a collision. Simultaneously, the information is relayed to the DEOC and local forest officials, who quickly respond to prevent the elephants from entering the tracks. This new initiative is being rolled out along a 19-km stretch from Walayar to Kottekkad, with the installation of underground cables have already been completed. The Palakkad Divisional Forest Officer confirmed that tapping and mapping work is progressing as planned. These efforts are expected to significantly reduce the frequency of human-wildlife conflicts in the region and contribute to the conservation of wildlife while ensuring the safety of local residents.