Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Nov 16: To prevent frequent human-elephant conflicts, Jharkhand is set to introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based “Elephant Alert System” on the lines of Chhattisgarh. The state’s first AI-based camera hooter system will be installed in Sunasuniya village under the Chakulia Range of the Jamshedpur Forest Division as a pilot project.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saba Alam Ansari said this will be Jharkhand’s first such AI-powered hooter system designed to automatically detect elephants entering a particular area. “As soon as an elephant enters the camera’s surveillance range, the hooter will sound automatically, alerting villagers to protect their families, livestock and crops,” he said. Ansari added that the system is solar-powered and can be monitored in real time through a laptop or mobile app, even during power cuts.
The hooter system will issue alerts in two phases. When elephants are four kilometres away, the first siren will sound for 20 seconds. When they approach within two kilometres, a second, louder siren will sound for 40 seconds. At the same time, both forest department teams and villagers will receive an alert message to remain cautious. The system will also allow authorized forest officials to control it remotely with a single click.
If successful, the project will be expanded to other elephant-affected areas including Ghatshila, Potka and Bodam ranges.
Earlier, the Forest Department had installed solar-powered “Parvraksha Lights” in Chakulia to deter elephants from entering residential areas. However, the lights reportedly disturbed the elephants, who later destroyed several units. Learning from that experience, the department is now adopting smarter, non-intrusive technology that detects elephant movement from a distance rather than deterring them directly.
Officials believe the AI-based hooter system will not only reduce property damage and loss of life but also mark a major step toward ensuring peaceful human-elephant coexistence in Jharkhand
