In a decisive move to curb a tragic wave of leopard attacks, the forest department in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district has turned to artificial intelligence. The department has installed a network of AI-powered, solar energy-driven cameras in Kamargaon village, a region where leopards have been responsible for over 20 human fatalities in the current calendar year.
How the AI 'Wild Netra' System Works
The newly deployed system, named 'AI Wild Netra', is designed to provide an early warning to villagers. Each camera boasts 360-degree surveillance capability and uses advanced computer vision and deep learning algorithms. Its core function is to accurately distinguish leopards from other animals. The system is so precise that it can even identify an A4-sized picture of a leopard, according to officials.
When the AI detects a leopard entering a 100-meter radius of the camera, it triggers an immediate alarm. This audible alert allows residents in the vicinity to take prompt safety measures. Deputy Conservator of Forests Dharmveer Salvitthal confirmed that tests conducted both during the day and night have been successful.
District-Wide Rollout and Future Plans
Encouraged by the initial success, the forest department is prioritizing the installation of these cameras across the entire district. Villages with a known history of leopard sightings will receive the systems first. The project was funded by the district planning committee, which also prompted the deployment.
Dharmveer Salvitthal revealed plans to enhance the system's functionality. "We are also planning to integrate the system with the functions so that it will send SMSes to a select number of phones," he said. This alert list will include key village representatives and forest officials, creating a faster, more coordinated response network.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Conflict Resolution
The camera installation is part of a broader initiative to reduce human-leopard conflict in the region. District guardian minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil facilitated the release of emergency funds through planning funds. In a significant boost to frontline staff, the forest department also received 14 rescue vans sanctioned by the district planning committee for the financial year 2025-26. These vans were formally presented to staff at Nilwande.
This combined approach of high-tech surveillance and improved emergency response infrastructure marks a critical step towards safeguarding both human lives and wildlife in the conflict-prone areas of Nashik district.
