Baripada, Aug 6: The Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha is strengthening its fight against poaching and illegal forest activities with the installation of more than 500 additional artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled cameras across sensitive areas of the reserve.
The Forest Department aims to complete the installation within the next three to four months, significantly expanding real-time surveillance coverage and helping officials monitor wildlife movement, human activity and potential threats more effectively.
The new technology-driven surveillance system will enhance the reserve’s ability to detect suspicious activities, prevent illegal entry and support quicker action by forest teams. Officials said the existing AI camera network has already helped identify and take action against several individuals attempting to enter restricted areas.
Similipal, one of India’s most important tiger habitats and a major elephant reserve, has been using advanced monitoring systems to protect its forests from poaching, illegal timber activities and other threats to biodiversity.
The newly installed cameras will be connected through communication towers and equipped with advanced features, including smoke detection capabilities to help identify forest fires at an early stage. Images and alerts from the cameras will be shared with forest officials almost instantly, enabling faster response during emergencies.
The reserve currently operates around 900 AI-powered cameras across its different forest divisions, including North Similipal, South Similipal, Baripada, Rairangpur and Karanjia areas. These systems use technologies such as AI-based trail monitoring and robotic pan-tilt-zoom cameras to capture and track movement inside protected zones.
The cameras automatically record images of people, vehicles and other movements in restricted areas, with GPS-tagged information sent to officials within minutes. This allows patrol teams to verify threats and take timely action.
The Forest Department has procured the additional 500 cameras at an estimated cost of Rs 2.25 crore, with installation underway across nearly 1,300 forest beats covering five divisions.
The expansion of AI-based surveillance marks a major step towards modernising wildlife conservation efforts in Odisha. By combining technology with ground-level protection measures, Similipal aims to create a stronger security system for its forests, wildlife and fragile ecosystem.
The initiative highlights the increasing role of artificial intelligence and digital tools in protecting India’s natural heritage and ensuring long-term conservation of endangered species.