AI-Powered Fire Detection System to Guard Tiger Reserves; Pench First to Implement Tech Authorities in India have launched an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based forest fire detection system to enhance protection for tiger reserves. Pench Tiger Reserve has become the first in the region to adopt the technology, marking a significant step in leveraging modern tools to combat forest fires. The initiative aims to improve early detection of wildfires and enable faster response times to minimize damage to ecosystems and wildlife. The system relies on high-resolution thermal and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras equipped with infrared sensors, installed on elevated towers or hilltops. These cameras can monitor vast forest areas and detect fire signals from distances up to 15 kilometers. Images captured by the cameras are transmitted to a central computer system, where AI algorithms analyze them in real time. The technology is designed to identify smoke, flames, or unusual heat patterns while distinguishing these from natural elements like clouds, fog, or dust. This reduces false alarms and ensures alerts are only triggered when a genuine fire risk is detected. Once a fire is identified, the system automatically sends alerts to forest officials via mobile messages and email. This allows field staff to reach the affected area quickly. The platform also integrates with GPS-enabled vehicles, firefighting teams, and water resources, enabling real-time coordination of response efforts. The cost of installing one unit is estimated at around ₹80 lakh for thermal cameras or ₹55 lakh for PTZ cameras. Annual maintenance is expected to cost approximately ₹4.5 lakh from the second year.#india #ai #pench_tiger_reserve #chandrapur_forest_academy #forest_fire_detection
