Kerala to Launch AI-Based Elephant Monitoring System to Reduce Human–Wildlife Conflict

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s Forest Department has partnered with Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Communications to introduce a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance system that can detect the presence of elephants at forest boundaries and issue immediate alerts. The pilot project, costing 5 crore rupees, aims to reduce human–wildlife conflict by enabling timely interventions. Both parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the initiative.

The project is part of the government’s “Mission Real-Time Monitoring” program. It is designed to monitor high-risk zones along forest boundaries and areas near human settlements, allowing authorities to anticipate potential incidents and alert nearby communities before elephants descend into villages or farmland.

How the System Works

Advanced Cameras: Cameras installed at forest edges analyze live footage in real time. The moment elephant presence or movement is detected, alerts are sent via mobile messages to forest officials and local response teams.

Connectivity in Remote Areas: The system uses LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) technology, which ensures communication even in deep forest areas without mobile network coverage.

Portable Setup: Cameras are mounted on special movable poles, making it easy to relocate based on shifting conflict hotspots.

Future Expansion

If the pilot succeeds, at least 20 units per forest division will be deployed statewide.

While initially focused on elephants, the platform may later be extended to monitor other conflict-prone wildlife, such as tigers and leopards.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at the Kerala Forest Department headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, chaired by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rajesh Ravindran. Signatories included Dr. Pramod G Krishnan (Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala Forest Department), Dr. Naveen Pandey (General Manager & Head Biodiversity, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles), and Siddharth Chib (Deputy General Manager, Tata Communications).

Forest Minister A K Saseendran stated that this technology will be a critical milestone in mitigating human–wildlife conflicts. The project is also linked to Tata Motors’ Project Maximus, which focuses on the protection of Asian elephants.