AI camera keeping watch on forest fire in Similipal National Park in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

Bhubaneswar: Less number of wildfires has been reported from Similipal National Park in summer so far, as compared to that reported during the same period the previous year. Forest fires were effectively kept at bay due to an elaborate use of AI cameras, PCCF (Wildlife) Susanta Nanda said today.

AI camera helps detect the fire points as soon as the inferno occurs anywhere and it alerts the forest personnel concerned to swing into action. Hence, provisions will be made to install more AI cameras at vulnerable points in the days ahead. Accordingly, AI cameras are also to be installed in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary for early detection of wildfires. Attempts will be made to install AI cameras in vulnerable forests of Southern Odisha districts like Rayagada and Koraput, the PCCF informed.

“AI cameras installed on watch towers are capable of 360-degree surveillance. Forest personnel reach the affected spots by using Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation and douse the flames. At least 209 fire points were detected so far and the blazes were brought under control. Only five fire points were detected today and were effectively doused,” the PCCF stated.

“Our green soldiers and ODRAF teams are working in adverse conditions to keep the forest fire at bay. No part of the core or its adjoining buffer area is affected. Fire points were seen in areas near villages in the fringe alone. All wild animals in the sanctuary are safe from forest fire,” PCCF Nanda added.