Bhubaneswar: The Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) authorities in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district are now using tower-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology to get information on forest fires quickly and act to douse them.
According to reports, AI is closely monitoring the forest fires in Shimilipal as now it is possible to obtain information immediately and track the forest fires. Owing to the use of high-end technology and the Green Fighters and ODRF personnel the forest fires have remained confined to the buffer area of the Similipal Tiger Reserve protecting the wild animals in the core area.
Five tower-based AI systems have been installed on a priority basis across the Similipal sanctuary. Equipped with high-resolution cameras capable of 360-degree movement, these towers detect activities up to a distance of 15 km making it easier to detect forest fires and illegal hunting of wildlife. The cost of installing each AI tower is around Rs 2.5 crore.
Real-time forest fire data and transmission are also provided through this system. Addressing the manpower concerns, RCCF has deployed 505 fire squads in various wildlife divisions of the Mayurbhanj district. In addition, 733 air blower machines are used in firefighting efforts.
