HI-TECH MONITORING: DRONES, THERMAL CAMERAS TO TRACK RAJASTHAN’S BIG CATS
The measures aim to check rising wildlife crimes in the state
JAIPUR: The Rajasthan government is setting up an advanced surveillance mechanism to ensure effective monitoring and conservation of endangered wild animals, especially tigers and leopards.
The state information technology (IT) department aims to install a hi-tech mechanism comprising drones, thermal-imaging cameras, high-resolution optical and dome cameras, data centres and radio sets by March 2018.
It has requested ₹50 crore for floating tenders and commissioning wildlife surveillance (WS) as well as anti-poaching systems (APS). The amount would also cover operational and maintenance costs for a period of five years.
A senior IT official told Hindustan Times on the condition of anonymity that the WS and APS project has been planned to ensure conservation wild animals; enhance the efficiency of forest officials; identify areas prone to wildlife crimes; check infiltration, poaching and illegal mining; and provide information for decision-making.
“It will be implemented in critical areas of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Mukundra Hill Tiger Reserve, Jawaibag Leopard Conservation Reserve and Jhalana Natural Park,” he added.
A number of wildlife offences – including poaching, human encroachment and smuggling of contraband items – have been reported from Rajasthan in the last decade. Many incidents go unreported due to lack of resources to monitor forested areas.
“Wild animals are active at night, when visibility is poor. In such circumstances, the use of thermal-imaging cameras will help. Forty-metre-high static towers, equipped with a mix of thermal, optical and dome cameras, will be installed. The feed will be recorded at a modular containerised control room, and then sent to the data centre at the headquarters. Drones will be used in case of fire and natural calamities,” the official said.
“Over 1,100 critical areas at the five protected sites have been identified, and they will be covered under the WS and APS system,” the official said.
TIGER CUBS FOUND DEAD IN PILIBHIT
Carcasses of two tiger cubs were found in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve reserve on Wednesday, three years after poachers killed a big cat in the same reserve. The locals who saw the carcasses suspected poaching, but the forest officials claimed that an adult tiger had killed the cubs.
This is the second case of tiger death in the forest since 2014 when it was recognised as a tiger Reserve.