CHENNAI: Wildlife deaths, including those of elephants, Indian Gaur, and leopards, while crossing railway tracks in the Madukkarai area of Coimbatore Forest Division, have significantly reduced thanks to an artificial intelligence (AI)-based surveillance system installed on the stretch seven months ago.
On Sunday, State Forest Secretary P Senthil Kumar visited the area and observed the control room's operations, which monitor the AI system.
According to official data, in between 2008 and 2024, 11 wild elephants, including calves and juveniles, were struck by speeding trains, with three fatalities occurring in 2021 alone.
Following a directive from the National Green Tribunal, the Forest Department, in collaboration with railway authorities, developed the AI-based surveillance system, which was inaugurated in February this year.
Since its installation, no wildlife deaths or injuries have been reported on the stretch, said Coimbatore Circle Conservator of Forests S Ramasubramanian.
Ramasubramanian explained that the system consists of 12 towers fitted with thermal and normal cameras positioned 50 meters apart along the track in Bolampatti forests, covering key elephant crossing points.
The cameras provide 150 meters of coverage on either side of the track, enabling early detection of animal movement. The detected data is transferred to the control room, where it is processed in real time.
The control room staff, comprising frontline forest department personnel and a technical team working in shifts, monitor animal movements and notify train loco pilots via calls and SMS alerts.
Additionally, hooters and digital display alerts are placed along the tracks to warn loco pilots of animals in the area, allowing them to take action in advance.
The Forest Department and railway officials work closely, using the AI-generated information to prevent accidents, he said.
On Sunday, State Forest Secretary P Senthil Kumar visited the area and observed the control room's operations, which monitor the AI system.
According to official data, in between 2008 and 2024, 11 wild elephants, including calves and juveniles, were struck by speeding trains, with three fatalities occurring in 2021 alone.
Following a directive from the National Green Tribunal, the Forest Department, in collaboration with railway authorities, developed the AI-based surveillance system, which was inaugurated in February this year.
Since its installation, no wildlife deaths or injuries have been reported on the stretch, said Coimbatore Circle Conservator of Forests S Ramasubramanian.
Ramasubramanian explained that the system consists of 12 towers fitted with thermal and normal cameras positioned 50 meters apart along the track in Bolampatti forests, covering key elephant crossing points.
The cameras provide 150 meters of coverage on either side of the track, enabling early detection of animal movement. The detected data is transferred to the control room, where it is processed in real time.
The control room staff, comprising frontline forest department personnel and a technical team working in shifts, monitor animal movements and notify train loco pilots via calls and SMS alerts.
Additionally, hooters and digital display alerts are placed along the tracks to warn loco pilots of animals in the area, allowing them to take action in advance.
The Forest Department and railway officials work closely, using the AI-generated information to prevent accidents, he said.
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