Chandrapur: In a significant technological push to strengthen forest protection, authorities have begun deploying an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based forest fire detection system across tiger reserves. Pench Tiger Reserve has become the first in the region to install the system. The initiative aims to ensure faster detection of forest fires and quicker response to prevent large-scale damage to forests and wildlife.The AI system uses high-resolution thermal or pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras equipped with infrared sensors installed on elevated towers or hilltops. These cameras can monitor forest landscapes and detect fire signals from distances of up to 15 kilometres.Images captured by the cameras are transmitted to a central computer system, where AI analyses them in real time. The AI technology can identify smoke, flames, or unusual heat patterns and accurately distinguish them from natural elements such as clouds, fog, or dust. This reduces false alarms and ensures that alerts are issued only when an actual fire risk is detected.Once a fire is identified, the system automatically sends alerts to forest officials through mobile messages and email. This enables field staff to reach the affected location swiftly. The platform can also integrate with GPS-enabled vehicles, firefighting teams, and water resources, allowing forest authorities to coordinate response efforts in real time.The cost of installing one such unit is estimated at around ₹80 lakh with thermal cameras or about ₹55 lakh with PTZ cameras. Annual maintenance is expected to cost approximately ₹4.5 lakh from the second year.M S Reddy, director of the Chandrapur Forest Academy of Administration and Management, said the initiative comes at a time when the Indian Forest Act, 1927, will complete a century in 2027. “Forests are not merely clusters of trees—they regulate climate, store carbon, conserve biodiversity, and sustain millions of livelihoods. Forest fires can wipe out decades of natural growth within hours,” he said. Technology like AI-based fire detection cameras is meant to support field staff, not replace them, he added.
