NEW DELHI: IFS officer Susanta Nanda recently highlighted the success of AI and camera traps in tackling poaching at Simlipal Tiger Reserve.
Three individuals got arrested following a successful operation at Simlipal Tiger Reserve. Camera traps captured footage of the suspects, leading to subsequent raids in their village. Authorities recovered firearms and other poaching tools from the suspects.
In a tweet, Nanda posted the pictures and videos of the poachers and praised the reserve’s efforts, stating, “Extensive use of AI & camera traps in Simlipal Tiger Reserve is helping in nabbing the poachers & intruders. Three persons were caught on camera & they were arrested with guns & other tools kept for poaching by subsequent raids in their village. Well done team Simlipal.”
Social media users expressed enthusiasm and commented, “Fantastic work ! Bravo to those involved”. Another user Congratulated the team and asked with curiosity,” How is the AI being used in nabbing the poachers and intruders?
Some even expressed their rage towards the poachers and said, “Kill the poachers, they should be killed”.
Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India. It is known for its rich biodiversity, including a variety of flora and fauna, and is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers. The reserve covers an area of around 845 square kilometres and features dense forests, waterfalls, and a range of ecosystems. It is a crucial area for wildlife conservation and attracts visitors interested in nature and wildlife.
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India has implemented several initiatives to combat poaching and protect wildlife, notably, Project Tiger, launched in 1973, which has successfully increased the tiger population to 3,167 as of the latest census. However, poaching remains a significant issue, with 324 tiger deaths reported in the past 29 months. Additionally, the Wildlife Conservation Society-India’s Counter Wildlife Trafficking (CWT) Program supports government agencies in tackling wildlife crime. Despite these efforts, regions like Madhya Pradesh remain hotspots for poaching.