“My love towards the forest actually started out of empathy and emergency.”

In the dense forests of Chhattisgarh, where human-elephant conflicts have been a growing concern, Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Varun Jain has pioneered an innovative solution using artificial intelligence (AI).

Since the launch of the Chhattisgarh Elephant Tracking and Alert System, the region has witnessed a dramatic reduction in casualties, proving that technology can bridge the gap between conservation and human safety.

The rising concern of human-elephant conflict

Elephants were not originally native to Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh. They migrated from Odisha, introducing a new challenge for local communities unfamiliar with handling their presence. “Elephants are a new concern for villagers, and they did not know how to react when they entered their habitat,” says Varun Jain, Deputy Director of the reserve.

Traditionally, the Monabhi alert system was used, in which a Kotwar (a village messenger) beat drums and used a microphone to warn villagers of approaching elephants. However, in April 2022, a tragic incident highlighted the limitations of this method. An elephant unexpectedly changed direction, entering a village that had not been warned in time, leading to three human casualties within 24 hours.

“It was my first time witnessing a human fatality, and I was there for the post-mortem,” Varun recalls. “It was a turning point for me. I realised we needed a faster, more reliable alert system.”

Bringing AI into the picture

Determined to find a technological solution, Varun and his team developed a basic application in February 2023.........

© The Better India