TV
In a significant leap for wildlife protection in Odisha, an elephant herd narrowly escaped an impending train collision in the Rourkela forest division of Sundargarh district, due to the involvement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, an official said on Sunday.
According to sources, the herd, consisting of two adult elephants and a calf, was detected by the strategically placed AI cameras as they ventured across a railway track.
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Upon detection, the AI cameras instantly sent an alert to the Forest Department control room, enabling operators to halt the approaching train in time to avert a mishap.
This initiative is part of a broader conservation effort by the Rourkela Steel Plant, aimed at safeguarding wildlife across railway lines intersecting forested regions. Four AI cameras have been installed at crucial points along these railway tracks.
This pioneering project within Rourkela forest division is anticipated to extend into further regions, including Keonjhar and Bonai, according to former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF)-Wildlife Susanta Nanda.
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The use of AI technology in wildlife conservation is heralded as a significant progression towards preserving the State’s rich biodiversity and preventing future mishaps.
“On December 5, a herd of around 28 elephants were roaming near a railway track. On being alerted, our team succeeded in preventing a probable mishap. The AI device had sent SMS alerts to Railway and Forest officials concerned. Train movement was halted for some time and the pachyderms were let go,” PCCF (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha stated.
“The train movement was restored after the jumbos passed safely,” PCCF Jha added.
