INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Think rhino protection, and you probably picture forest guards in khaki trekking through thick jungle, armed with binoculars and decades of
But at Kaziranga National Park in Assam, the frontline of wildlife conservation now includes sleek, buzzing drones
rhinos killed between 2000 and 2021
The crisis peaked in 2013 and 2014 when 27 rhinos were poached each year
However, a determined crackdown by forest officials and the introduction of technology like drone surveillance have turned the tide
But with that success comes a constant threat, especially from poachers looking to cash in on the rhino horn trade
The vast terrain, thick vegetation, and seasonal floods make it nearly impossible for on-ground patrol teams to monitor every corner
The results were promising, (Park officials report a 40 percent drop in illegal hunting and unauthorised entry within drone-covered zones)
and by 2017, the Central Government approved the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for regular monitoring.These drones have evolved
from short-range gadgets into powerful tools that fly up to 60 minutes at a stretch
Picture source: PexelsSince then, these drones have evolved from short-range gadgets into powerful tools that fly up to 60 minutes at a
stretch and cover large swathes of forest, even at night.Equipped with thermal imaging and real-time video streaming, drones help spot
suspicious activity, locate animals during floods, and keep an eye on hard-to-reach areas without disturbing the wildlife
Park officials and Assam police have undergone specialised training to operate them, ensuring drones are flown with legal and ecological
Surveillance footage can be used for real-time response as well as in legal cases against poachers or trespassers.
More than Just
Anti-Poaching Tools
While catching poachers is a key part of the job, drones are also helping park authorities beyond security
plant growth patterns constantly reshape the landscape
With high-resolution cameras, they can map grasslands, track the spread of invasive species, monitor the growth or loss of tree cover, and
identify areas in need of reforestation or restoration.Track injured or stranded animals during natural disasters: During the monsoons,
large parts of Kaziranga get submerged
Animals instinctively move to higher ground, often crossing highways or venturing near human settlements in search of safety
In these situations, drones become vital rescue tools
They help locate animals in distress, those separated from herds, stuck in floodwaters, or showing signs of injury
This real-time visibility allows forest teams to respond faster and more precisely, sometimes even coordinating with veterinary teams or
setting up temporary safe zones.Detect early signs of forest fires: Forest fires are rare but potentially devastating in Kaziranga
(In 2005, a devastating forest fire destroyed 20 percent of the grasslands and jungle area; since then, regular controlled burning of the
excessive grassland has been carried out.) Drones equipped with thermal sensors can detect rising temperatures or smoke signatures before
the flames become visible to the naked eye
Early detection means officials can deploy firefighting resources before the situation escalates, protecting both wildlife and valuable
forest cover.Reduce human-wildlife conflict by tracking animal movement near settlements: Kaziranga shares its borders with multiple
villages, and sometimes animals, especially elephants, rhinos, and wild boars, wander into farmlands or settlements, leading to panic or
Drones help track these movements in real-time and alert response teams or local communities in advance.
Compared to helicopters or manned
patrols, drones are cost-effective and safer
keep track of these changes over time
Tree canopies can interfere with GPS signals, and drones need regular maintenance and upgrades to keep up with environmental conditions
rhinos, Kaziranga attracts global attention for its conservation success
tech can play a vital role in conservation
In fact, Kaziranga is one of the first protected areas in India to formally adopt drone surveillance on a wide scale, a move that could
inspire similar practices in other national parks and reserves.Some reserve forests have also taken up drone technology to monitor the
extensive land:
Sundarbans (West Bengal): Drones are deployed to monitor tiger and crocodile movement across the mangrove landscape,
especially in conflict-prone zones where human-animal interactions are high
started using drones alongside camera traps to track elephants and tigers, especially in buffer zones near human settlements
This has helped mitigate man-animal conflict by giving early alerts of animal movement.Chhattisgarh Forest Department: Drones were used to
monitor dense forest patches in Barnawapara and Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserves to detect illegal mining and timber felling.Gir National Park
is difficult on foot.Top Photo: WWF IndiaSource: The Better India
