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

- Mrinalini Naik Ujjwal Bhardwaj

Traditionally, forest governance has relied on satellite imagery and ground patrolling. While valuable, these are mostly reactive. Al enhances their utility by converting large data sets 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.

In India, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) is experimenting with Al-assisted satellite data to better estimate forest cover and detect seasonal changes. Platforms such as Global Forest Watch provide precise and timely information about forest management. Beyond monitoring, AI offers predictive capability, processing diverse datasets such as rainfall, soil quality, biodiversity indices, deforestation rates, encroachment patterns and even road proximity to forecast potential hotspots of ecological stress. Such predictive intelligence can prove invaluable for conserving biodiversity-rich but vulnerable zones, such as the Western Ghats.