Coimbatore: In a heartbreaking incident, seven elephants died after colliding with a train in Assam’s Hojai. However, there’s a bright spot in Tamil Nadu. Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of the Environment, Climate Change, and Forests Department, announced that the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has saved about 6,000 elephants over the past two years using AI technology.
For years, wild elephants have ventured onto railway tracks in the Madukkarai forest area, resulting in the tragic loss of around 35 elephants in train accidents over the last two decades. To combat this issue, local authorities have implemented new strategies to keep both elephants and trains safe.
Trains running from Coimbatore to Kerala pass through regions of Madukkarai. To safeguard wildlife, two railway lines were built through the forest. To further protect elephants, underpasses were created to let them cross safely. Additionally, AI technology has been enlisted to monitor the movements of these majestic creatures.
Twelve towers and 24 AI cameras have been set up to keep a watchful eye over a 7.05 km stretch. When elephants approach the tracks, alerts are sent to nearby railway stations and train operators, allowing them to slow down and avoid accidents.
In a recent inspection of the control room in Madukkarai, Sahu praised the effectiveness of the AI early-warning system, which has successfully prevented any elephant deaths on these tracks for two years. She shared on social media that technology can play a vital role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts when used thoughtfully.
This success comes in stark contrast to statistics from the past. Over the last 15 years, 232 elephant deaths were reported in the Coimbatore Forest Division alone. Clearly, the new measures are making a significant difference.
This initiative highlights the importance of integrating technology into wildlife conservation. As humans and wildlife increasingly share the same spaces, effective solutions like these may pave the way for a safer coexistence.
For further insights into wildlife conservation efforts and technology’s role in it, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) offers valuable resources and research.
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ELEPHANT DEATHS, AI, TAMIL NADU FOREST DEPT, TAMIL NADU, SAHU SAID WILD ELEPHANTS CAME ONTO RAILWAY TRACKS IN MADUKKARAI FOREST
