In order to mitigate human-elephant conflict by preventing the entry of elephants in human settlements, the forest department has started work with the help of Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The WII has installed thermal power camera sensor alarm system in the Sharada range of Haldwani forest division for this purpose.
According to officials, initially, it has been seen that the elephants are keeping away from the sites where the alarm systems have been placed. The villagers also state that the alarm system is keeping the people alert, adding that they will take care of the system.
In order to mitigate the movement of elephants in human settlements, an animal intrusion detection and repellent system has been set up in eight locations by the WII in coordination with the Forest department in the Sharada range of Haldwani forest division.
The system has been put in place on a trial basis to check its efficacy.
Informing about this, the western circle conservator of forests, Parag Madhukar Dhakate said that if the system placed on trial is found to be effective, it will be placed on a larger scale to mitigate human-elephant conflict.
This system consisting of a thermal power camera and an alarm system has been placed near rural areas. As soon as it comes into contact with a herd of elephants it sounds a large alarm.
Within three seconds, photos clicked by the system are provided to the mobile phone linked to it, which alerts the department. Along with an alarm, a light is also lit up which further helps send the elephants away from the spot.
It should be mentioned here that the Sharada range adjoining the Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary known as an elephant corridor is often visited by elephants on the move. The jumbos end up causing damage to crops in the nearby rural areas. Scientists and officials are hoping the successful use of the animal intrusion and repellent system will prevent the damage caused by elephants in the area.
The Haldwani forest division sub divisional officer Rajesh Srivastav said that this system is being used on trial basis for the first time in the State.
The camera installed in the system are activated and start clicking photographs in elephants move within 30 metres of the system. At the same time, the sensor sets up a loud alarm and light which makes the pachyderms get away from the spot.
The sounds made by the system include those of a tiger and more than half a dozen other noises which repel the elephants.