Jamshedpur: The forest department is planning to install advanced thermal cameras capable of detecting forest fires up to a range of 6 km, along with AI-based wildlife monitoring cameras in its forest areas.The thermal cameras will identify abnormal temperature changes in real time and provide early alerts about potential forest fires, enabling the foresters to take swift action and prevent major damage. Besides, the AI-based cameras will monitor the movement of elephants and other wildlife.As soon as the presence of elephants is detected near a village, alarm systems installed in the affected areas will be automatically activated, and immediate alerts will be sent to the controlling device operated by the officials, said Jamshedpur forest divisional officer, Saba Alam Ansari.The 80-plus AI regulated cameras will be installed in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS), Chakulia and Dhalbhumgarh forest range (in Ghatsila sub division) and Chandil forest range (in Seraikela-Kharsawan).The primary objective of this initiative is to reduce human-elephant conflict, enhance the safety of local communities, and protect the region’s biodiversity.The camera installation work will begin in March and will conclude within 45 days.Separate teams of the forest guards carrying walkie talkie sets will patrol the forest area on GPS equipped jeeps and will rush to the incident site immediately on receiving alerts on WhatsApp.The three forest adjoining divisions are the first in the state to introduce AI-enabled cameras, officials said.
