9 months ago
Drones to Enhance Wildlife Protection in North Bengal
The forest department in North Bengal is going to use drones to watch over the forests and protect animals.
They have already used drones in Jaldapara National Park and found them very helpful.
The drones helped find and rescue animals like elephants and rhinos, especially during floods.
They also stopped poaching and smuggling.
Now, they will use more drones in other forests to keep the animals safe and watch for bad activities.
The drones can see big areas quickly and help the foresters take action fast.
They will still use traditional methods like walking and riding elephants to patrol the forests.
Forest department to deploy drones in Singalila, Senchal, and Neora Valley forests for wildlife surveillance.
Drones previously successful in Jaldapara National Park, aiding in tracking and rescuing straying wildlife.
Five drones to be deployed in each of the new forest areas to enhance monitoring and curb illegal activities.
Drones have significantly improved animal protection, with no poaching incidents and controlled timber smuggling in Jaldapara.
Technology complements traditional patrolling methods, providing real-time monitoring and swift response capabilities.
- Who
- Forest department of North Bengal
- What
- Deployment of drones for wildlife surveillance and protection
- Where
- Singalila, Senchal, and Neora Valley forests in North Bengal
- When
- Following successful use in Jaldapara National Park over the past year
- Why
- To strengthen monitoring of wildlife and curb illegal activities
Key facts
- Location
- Singalila, Senchal, Neora Valley forests, North Bengal
- Drones Deployed
- 5 drones each in Singalila, Senchal, and Neora Valley
- Previous Success
- 4 drones in Jaldapara National Park for a year
- Wildlife Tracked
- Elephants, gaur, one-horned rhinos
- Outcome
- No poaching incidents, controlled timber smuggling
- Technology Use
- Real-time monitoring with internet-linked drones
- Rescue Operation
- Rescued 8 rhinos during Torsa river floods
Quotes
Forest department officer
Forest department officer
“Using drone images, we could track every rhino and rescue all of them safely. Such a coordinated operation is rare in the history of the forest department”
telegraphindia.com
“Not a single poaching incident was reported in the past year. Movement of poachers was not detected, and timber smuggling has come under control”
telegraphindia.com
Bhaskar JV
Chief conservator of forests (wildlife, north)
“In Jaldapara, drones have helped us track elephants, gaur and one-horned rhinos when they stray outside the forest. During the recent floods, several rhinos were swept into the shallow Torsa river. With drone support, we were able to locate, tranquilise and safely bring them back”
telegraphindia.com
Forester
Forester
“Within a short time, a drone can scan large areas that foot patrols cannot cover as quickly. Combined with patrolling by vehicles and elephants, drone surveillance enhances our ability to detect movement, monitor sensitive zones and respond swiftly”
telegraphindia.com
Parveen Kaswan
Divisional forest officer of Jaldapara
“We use different technologies for protection and conservation. Drone cameras are one of them. They have given us great results, but patrolling on foot and on elephant-back will continue, as they remain essential tools”
telegraphindia.com
