Arunachal Pradesh Introduces Thermal Drones for Enhanced Wildlife Monitoring
Introduction of Thermal Drones in Arunachal Pradesh
With this rollout, Arunachal Pradesh becomes the third State in India, after Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, to adopt thermal drone technology for wildlife monitoring
Itanagar, April 30: In a groundbreaking move to enhance forest surveillance, the government of Arunachal Pradesh has launched advanced thermal drones aimed at improving wildlife monitoring and rescue efforts. This initiative is complemented by a specialized training program for forest personnel.
The Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change spearheaded this initiative, which includes a week-long practical training session conducted by experts from RNR Unmanned Aerial Systems. The goal is to equip field staff with the skills necessary for operating drones and monitoring wildlife in real-time.
Initially, five thermal drones have been deployed in critical wildlife regions, such as Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve, Deomali Division, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Nampong Division, and Itanagar Biological Park. These drones are anticipated to significantly improve surveillance in dense and hard-to-reach areas, aiding authorities in tracking animal movements and identifying illegal activities like poaching and encroachment.
With this implementation, Arunachal Pradesh joins Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as the third state in India to utilize thermal drone technology for wildlife oversight.
Forest and Environment Minister Wangki Lowang characterized this initiative as a transformative step in forest management. “We are progressively integrating modern and scientific tools into our forest and wildlife management practices. The introduction of thermal drones marks a pivotal advancement in this journey,” he stated.
Addressing the increasing occurrences of human-wildlife conflict, the minister emphasized that this technology would facilitate early detection and prompt action, thereby minimizing risks to both human lives and wildlife.
Wanglin Lowangdong, an adviser to the minister, expressed gratitude towards Rajiv Pemmasani and the RNR Unmanned Aerial Systems master trainers for their support. He also commended the department's commitment to adopting innovative tools to tackle conservation challenges.
N Tam, the PCCF and CEO of the State Authority CAMPA, praised the Wildlife Wing for embracing advanced drone technology, highlighting its potential for monitoring extensive forest areas, early fire detection, and enhanced surveillance against illegal activities.
Additional PCCF Debendra Dalai pointed out the diverse applications of drones, which include habitat mapping, biodiversity monitoring, and identifying encroachments. Officials noted that the training program will cover drone operation, data analysis, and real-time applications in wildlife rescue, anti-poaching efforts, and habitat evaluations.