AI Technology: A major accident was averted on the Bandamunda-Barsua railway track in Rourkela on Sunday (December 8) when 28 elephants from a herd were seen on the track. Small elephants were also included in these. This incident happened at a time when goods trains run regularly on the railway tracks. However, in this critical situation, technical help averted a major accident by taking timely action.
This miraculous help came from an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based thermal camera which monitors the activities around the forest. On Saturday (December 7) at around 7 pm, this camera took a picture of the elephant herd and ascertained its location. Immediately after this information, forest officials contacted the Railways and decided to stop the train for half an hour. Rourkela divisional forest officer Jasubant Sethi said, “We were in coordination with the railways to ensure that the elephants cross the tracks and reach a safe place before the arrival of the train.”
AI camera installed to monitor the forest
Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha said that due to timely detection of elephants reaching this unexpected route, a major danger was averted. Jha also said that they have installed a high-resolution AI camera on a 12 feet high tower which is quite effective in monitoring the forest. Earlier such cameras were installed in Similipal Tiger Reserve of Odisha due to which many poachers were caught. Now this technical system will be installed in the rest of the state also.
Wildlife will be protected through technical measures
With the help of AI based thermal cameras, not only major incidents like elephant attacks can be prevented but the safety of wildlife can also be ensured. As a result of this technical measure, the Forest Department has now become more active and in the coming days, such cameras will be installed in other areas also so that wildlife can be protected in a better way.