The State forest department has initiated smart-patrolling in the forest areas using small drones to augment traditional patrolling. The drone was launched in the forest department western circle where it will be used to monitor various important aspects related to wildlife protection, human-wildlife conflict and wildlife crime.
Along with traditional jungle patrol, the department will also use drone to enhance surveillance, wildlife security and tackle forest and wildlife crimes like illegal quarrying on riverbeds, illicit cutting of special expensive woods, poaching of wild animals and illegal trade in their pelts and body parts.
The department held the launching of a small drone from the ground of the forestry training academy in Haldwani on Wednesday. The state principal chief conservator of forests, Rajendra Kumar Mahajan said that ensuring the security of the state’s forests and wildlife is a major challenge. To tackle these, the department is resorting to latest technology along with traditional patrolling on foot initiating drone patrol from the western circle. The department has formed a 15-member Falcon force to conduct the smart patrolling which will focus on remote jungle areas, illegal quarrying, the movement of suspicious elements and monitoring the wildlife. The forest department western circle conservator of forests, Parag Madhukar Dhakate said that based on the efficacy of smart patrolling, the area under its purview will be expanded. By the end of next year, the department plans to expand the area under smart patrolling deploying about a dozen drones. Members of the 37 forest Falcon force are currently undergoing training in the use of the drones, he added.