PLDT, partners to deploy new tech for forest conservation

THE PLDT Group is teaming up with Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc., the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to deploy the technology of US-based non-profit organization Rainforest Connection (RFCx).

The partnership aims to strengthen local forest conservation efforts and enhance enforcement of environmental laws.

Under the tie-up, RFCx “Guardians” which are bioacoustics monitoring devices, will be deployed to the protected forest areas of Taytay, Palawan.

The Guardians can capture sounds of the forest, including those from chainsaws used for illegal logging and gunshots, among others sounds.

RFCx Guardians, powered by solar energy, are installed high in canopies of trees and equipped with the capacity to capture sounds within a three-kilometer radius.

Collected data are transmitted via wireless technology to the cloud for analysis using Artificial Intelligence and

Machine Learning technology, allowing for the identification of possible illegal activities.

With the RCFx Guardians, and through a connected platform called “Arbimon”, forest rangers can monitor a wider area more efficiently which would otherwise be almost impossible for foot patrols given the size of the forest.

With the collected data from the Guardians, the rangers have access to improved threat intelligence, allowing them to zero-in on specific areas and help facilitate corresponding action to stop illegal activities in protected forests.