PIONEER EDGENEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani
Haldwani Forest Division has successfully demonstrated India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Forest Acoustic Surveillance System, the forest officers said, adding that it was an innovative indigenous technology capable of detecting illegal logging, wildlife crime and monitoring wildlife through real-time acoustic intelligence.
Designed specifically for local forest conditions, the system integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI), Edge Computing, Acoustic Sensors and LoRa-based long-range wireless communication to continuously monitor forest sounds and instantly identify suspicious activities, even in remote areas where conventional mobile networks are unavailable, the officers working at the division said. Notably, the system is powered by solar energy with rechargeable batteries, enabling uninterrupted round-the-clock operation even in remote forest areas without access to the electricity grid.
The wild life experts said that the Forest Acoustic Surveillance System functions as an intelligent digital ear inside the forest. “The technology is expected to transform forest protection by providing an effective early warning mechanism against illegal logging, timber smuggling, poaching and wildlife crime. The ability to detect suspicious activities in real time will considerably strengthen surveillance in vulnerable forest areas, protected areas and wildlife habitats while enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of frontline forest personnel,” an expert said.
Beyond enforcement, the platform represents a major advancement in wildlife conservation and biodiversity monitoring. The AI system can automatically recognise the vocalisations of different wildlife species, enabling continuous monitoring of wildlife presence, movement and habitat use.
The forest officers declared that Uttarakhand has taken a major step with this pioneering initiative towards building technology-enabled forests that are smarter, safer and better protected for future generations.
