Human-wildlife conflict: Parliamentary panel backs AI, drones and GIS for mitigation
Innovative tools like GIS and AI are being explored to enhance responses to human-wildlife conflicts. The committee emphasized strategies for prevention, mitigation, and sustainable coexistence. A new Centre of Excellence has been inaugurated to promote research and build capacity in conflict management. Additionally, the National Human-Wildlife Conflict Portal will be a valuable data resource.…
Parliamentary committee in India has endorsed a multi-pronged strategy to tackle human-wildlife conflict by harnessing modern technologies, including GIS, AI, drones, radio telemetry and predictive analytics. The discussions were chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, and included MPs, senior ministry officials and wildlife conservation experts from across the country.
The committee noted that conflict patterns differ across regions, necessitating tailored approaches. While elephant encounters dominate in several states, other regions face challenges with tigers, leopards, bears, rhinos, boars, gaur and primates. To address this, the committee stressed the need for an integrated plan that merges technology, ecological conservation and community engagement.
Key measures include deploying GIS for mapping, AI-driven surveillance, drones for monitoring, radio telemetry and predictive analytics for forecasting. Strengthening field staff, improving compensation schemes, boosting public awareness and involving local communities in conservation are also crucial.
The Centre of Excellence on Human-Wildlife Conflict (CoE-HWC) at WII's South Centre in Coimbatore was announced, aiming to drive research, innovation, policy support and capacity building. The National Human-Wildlife Conflict Portal, launched recently, will serve as a unified digital platform for reporting incidents, managing data and aiding decision-making.
States shared their specific strategies, such as AI surveillance, command centres, rapid response teams, GPS tracking, early warning systems, bio-fencing, volunteer networks and wildlife corridor restoration. Karnataka proposed a National Human-Wildlife Conflict Mission, while Kerala declared human-wildlife conflict a state disaster.
Madhya Pradesh adopted a "Prevention First" model combining AI, drones, GPS and community involvement, and Uttarakhand launched a 24/7 wildlife helpline with tech-enabled monitoring. Uttar Pradesh cited leopard-related incidents as the primary conflict type in the Terai Arc Landscape. Assam outlined a landscape-based approach for mitigating conflicts involving elephants, tigers, leopards, rhinos and wild buffalo.
Environment Minister Yadav emphasized a balanced approach, combining scientific management, institutional coordination, technology use and community participation. The Ministry of Environment suggested conducting habitat-based studies to determine ecosystem carrying capacity and inform resource planning for conflict management.
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