The use of UAVs for wildlife conservation has not reached a mature level. The technology needs to be upgraded to a point where it can be applied on a large scale and where its limitless potential can make a vast difference
Drones usually conjure images of serious military unmanned flight equipment, typically in the form of unmanned aerial vehicle, unmanned aerial system or remotely piloted aircraft. With their impressive track record based on their lithe configuration and versatile manoeuvrability in hostile environment, drones have altered the manner in which wars are being fought. Now, the same technology and expertise in the form of ‘eco-drones’ is all set to revolutionise and redefine the environmental conservation arena.
Over the past five years, the application of drone technology, especially in the field of wildlife conservation, has increased phenomenally. It has in the process, set an example of successful civilian use of drones.
In 2011, Brazil proved the peaceful credentials of this technology when it acquired 14 drones and used them for wildlife conservation, fighting illegal logging, mining and poaching. This proved to be an immense asset to the authorities and also aided them in the enforcement of environmental laws.
Since then, the non-military use of drones, especially for wildlife conservation, has become a well-known option. In the South Pacific region, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists are using drones to gather health data on sperm whales, while the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is utilising drones to track and photograph Japanese whaling vessels deemed by the organisation to be engaged in illegal hunts.
Recently, the World Wildlife Fund has initiated a drone-based project with the aim to observe and document movements of the endangered wildlife threatened by illegal poaching. India has started using the drone technology for wildlife protection with nearly 10 States in the country already using drones to keep tab on endangered animals.
However, the use of drones has not reached a mature level in India, this is partly due to the evolving regulations, availability of dependable and affordable technology and guidelines of operations. If the drones have to move beyond the usage in wildlife conservation and other miscellaneous act such as restaurant deliveries, this technology needs to be upgraded to the next level where it can be applied to a large-scale issue where the limitless potential of the drones can make a vast difference.
Environmental conservation and biodiversity preservation is an apt area where many organisations are already putting in tremendous work; these institutions can be encouraged to incorporate use of eco-drones in their projects. Historically, researchers and environmental scientists had to rely on either days of trekking through tough terrains or opt for expensive alternatives such as aircraft surveys to collect precious data. As a result, conservation initiatives were performed infrequently — sometimes decades apart resulting in time intervals during which great environmental changes took place that subsequently went unrecorded.
It is here, that the full potential of the drone technology can be utilised. Eco-drones have the advantage of autonomy and the capability to collect data in real time. Besides this, the drones are also agile, easy to operate and affordable. These attributes can help the conservationists to build projects around the strengths of this technology.
NGOs and institutions engaged in projects pertaining to environmental conservation would also derive encouragement from the fact that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation recently, began work on notifying regulations for commercial use of drones. Once the regulations are laid down, India will join an exclusive club of countries worldwide such as Spain, Australia and New Zealand that have notified provisional norms for civilian use of unmanned aerial vehicles. This step by the DGCA will help individuals and institutions to scale up the use of drone technology for a broader purpose.
As the Government is about to open drones for commercial operations, the potential risks of this technology must be considered. For a long time, drones have been a subject of debate due to their nature of intrusive surveillance. In addition, drones can also suffer battery failure or loss of navigational control, leading to serious accidents. This in a way limits the drone usage especially in an urban setting, therefore, it is crucial that in the backdrop of its multifarious applications and damage potential, ownership and operation of drones be licensed. Besides this, its size, capabilities, aerial route and end-use of collected data need to be monitored as well.
The future growth of drone usage is practically assured as changing ecosystems and disaster dynamics caused by climate change and urbanisation, as well as the elusive presence of environmental crime, on demand aerial data collection and real-time environmental monitoring will become important. Eco-drones, as the eye in the sky, can re-define environmental conservation by fusing smart technology with environmental conservation.