Chhattisgarh enhances 'Haathi Alert AI App' to safeguard elephants from accidents

Published On : 2024-11-22T18:18:33+0530 [ IST ] | Author : Mayur_Tembhare
Reading Time : 4 mins
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Following the recent deaths of elephants from electrocution and train accidents theChhattisgarh Forest Department plans to enhance its Haathi Alert App with advanced features for mapping electricity and railway lines.

The upgrade will integrate contact details of railway and electricity department staff to prevent accidents. The new version will be released shortly.

The Haathi Alert AI App now includes GIS layers of railways and power infrastructure. The forest department is collecting contact information of station masters and electricity department staff working in forest divisions to incorporate into the mapping system.

Staff members will receive notifications when elephant herds enter specific zones, particularly within two to three kilometres of electrical lines and railway tracks.

Electricity personnel will verify proper wire heights while station masters will alert train drivers about elephants in corridors. Train operators will then reduce speed to ensure elephant safety.

The power line GPS mapping will be integrated into the app's GIS layer. AI-powered alerts via calls SMS and WhatsApp will notify electricity and forest departments when elephants approach power lines.

The system will help identify hazards in elephant corridors including low-hanging wires, unstable poles and illegal fencing. Officials can monitor elephant locations and power infrastructure through the app.

Railway track GIS data from Google Maps will be incorporated into the system. Alerts will notify relevant staff when elephants are detected within one kilometre of tracks. Staff must register with the Alert App for this functionality.

The infrastructure mapping is complete and the app will include manual power line entry options. The system upgrades should be completed within a month said a senior forest officer.

The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has implemented comprehensive measures to reduce human-elephant conflict promoting peaceful coexistence through technology, community involvement and administrative measures in elephant migration areas.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Forces V Sreenivasa Rao said: "Forest department is dedicated to minimizing casualties of both elephants and humans besides protecting livelihoods and ensuring harmonious coexistence between humans and

The Katghora forest division houses 40-60 permanent elephant residents in various ranges while 90-110 elephants move through the Dharamjaigarh division. Elephants have established a permanent presence in several ranges of the Surajpur forest division.

Among the many initiatives the department takes to prevent casualties caused by human-elephant conflict is adopting technological solutions including ODK (open data kit) Collect and Elephant Tracker apps for real-time monitoring.

Control rooms equipped with thermal drones and night vision devices ensure continuous surveillance, regular power line inspections prevent electrocution risks and warning signs and awareness materials are installed in affected areas.

Community engagement initiatives include awareness programmes through Gaj Yatra and daily patrols by Hathi Mitr Dal. Forest staff provide protection during festivals and critical events ensuring public safety in elephant-prone areas.

Special protection measures are implemented during elections and other events. Forest personnel assist in safely escorting residents through elephant-prone areas. Farmers receive guidance about harvesting schedules to minimise crop damage.

Through these comprehensive measures the department continues to foster sustainable coexistence between humans and elephants in shared territories. Apps like ODK Collect (works without internet) and Elephant Tracker enable real-time updates on elephant movements with nearby villagers notified via calls and messages.

In the past six months elephants have been regularly monitored through this app at 133 locations. The department maintains special vigilance at these sites to minimize damage.

In Pratapur the efforts ensured that Chhath Vrati mothers safely returned home after the rituals. In Dharamjaigarh a district-level wildlife protection committee, guided by the district collector, formulates safety strategies.

In 2024 compensation cases amounting to 72 lakh for crop damage have been successfully prepared and paid so far.

Over the past two years a total compensation amount of Rs 2,16,58,445 has been disbursed in the Dharamjaigarh Forest Division to address cases of human loss, injuries, crop damage and property damage.

In the past two years the Forest Department has safely escorted 78 people to their homes in the Dharamjaigarh forest range 21 people in the Chhal forest range and 2 people in the

Farmers are also advised to expedite paddy harvesting in areas with potential elephant activity to minimize damage.

Meanwhile a larger herd of 90-110 elephants actively traverses the Chaal and Dharamjaigarh forest ranges in the Dharamjagarh division.

In the Surajpur forest division elephants have established a permanent presence in the forests of Pratapur Ghui Ramanujnagar and Biharpur.

Source : Reporters From Sunrise Chronicles

Tags : Forest Departmentplans , Kumar Nishant , Meanwhile , Electricity , Jogawat , Control , Collect , powerkatghora dfo kumar nishant highlighted , Railway , District Collector ,

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