Jhargram Launches West Bengal's First Pangolin Breeding Center and AI-Powered Elephant Monitoring Hub
In a significant boost for wildlife conservation in eastern India, the state forest minister Birbaha Hansda laid the foundation stone for a pangolin breeding and conservation center and inaugurated a 24-hour elephant monitoring facility in Jhargram on Sunday. This development marks the establishment of India's second pangolin breeding center and Bengal's first, alongside south Bengal's inaugural dedicated elephant tracking station.
Pangolin Conservation: A Critical Initiative for Endangered Species
Currently, India's only pangolin breeding center is located at Nandankanan in Odisha. The new facility at Jhargram's Jangalmohal Zoological Park will become the nation's second, addressing urgent conservation needs. In India, the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, while the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is critically endangered. Both species are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, yet they face severe threats from poaching for their scales and meat, habitat destruction, and rampant trafficking in international wildlife smuggling networks.
AI-Driven Elephant Monitoring: Enhancing Real-Time Wildlife Management
The newly inaugurated elephant monitoring center at the Badarvhola beat office in Jhargram represents a technological leap in forest management. Equipped with over 16 AI cameras installed across the Jhargram, Manikpara, and Lodhashuli ranges, the facility captures real-time images of elephant movements. These feeds are displayed on two LED screens in the monitoring room, enabling forest officials to track activities and respond swiftly to potential human-elephant conflicts or other emergencies.
The Rs 16-lakh facility is set for further upgrades, with plans to integrate thermal drones connected directly to the control room. Officials aim to install an additional 50-60 AI cameras to expand coverage. A team of nine forest personnel has been assigned to manage the round-the-clock monitoring operations, ensuring proactive wildlife protection.
Zoo Expansions and Infrastructure Developments
In parallel, several enclosures and cages for resident animals and birds were inaugurated at the Jhargram Zoological Park on Sunday. The zoo is preparing to welcome new inhabitants, including tigers, lions, and three crocodiles. Infrastructure projects are advancing rapidly:
- Tiger and Lion Enclosures: A 1,850-square-metre tiger enclosure is nearing completion, while a separate lion enclosure is currently under construction.
- Crocodile Trench: The crocodile trench is fully ready, with three crocodiles scheduled for transfer from Alipore Zoo.
- Bird Conservation: The zoo utilizes temperature-controlled incubators to hatch bird eggs, supporting avian breeding programs. It currently houses eight macaws in a dedicated enclosure, with plans for new enclosures for emus and ostriches.
Approximately Rs 2.5 crore has been invested in zoo infrastructure, covering boundary walls, cages, and various animal and bird enclosures, reflecting a broader commitment to enhancing wildlife care and public education.
These initiatives underscore Jhargram's growing role as a hub for wildlife conservation and technological innovation in forest management, aiming to safeguard some of India's most vulnerable species while improving ecological monitoring and response capabilities.
