Inclusive & effective forest conservation, courtesy AI

Amid the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity, artificial intelligence (AI) can be a valuable ally for forest and wildlife conservation.

- Mrinalini Naik and Ujjwal Bhardwaj

From acoustic surveillance systems to AI-assisted reforestation planning, new technologies are being deployed across India. Recently, several states have started using AI-enabled alert systems and cameras for forest management, identifying poachers and trespassers, and tracking animals to prevent human-animal conflict. Tamil Nadu has used AI surveillance systems to avert forest fires. The Railways introduced an AI-enabled Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) system to prevent elephants and other wildlife from being struck by trains.

Traditionally, forest governance has relied on satellite imagery and ground patrolling. While valuable, these are mostly reactive. AI enhances their utility by converting large datasets into real-time, actionable intelligence. To illustrate, Rainforest Connection employs solar-powered, old smartphones equipped with extra microphones to “listen” to forests for sounds of chainsaws, gunshots, or even rare species' movements.