AI-Based Alert System To Warn Villagers Of Tigers And Leopards Activated In Pench Area
AI-Based Alert System To Warn Villagers Of Tigers And Leopards Activated In Pench Area
Nagpur, March 16, 2026: An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based early warning system designed to alert villagers about the movement of wild animals such as tigers and leopards has been activated in parts of the Pench Tiger Reserve region. Authorities plan to expand the system to 40 sensitive locations across the Pench wildlife area and adjoining forest regions by April 15.
The initiative has been introduced in villages around Deolapar in Ramtek taluka, an area with a significant tribal population located near the tiger reserve. The nearby village of Pipariya has frequently witnessed the movement of tigers, and residents have faced several incidents involving attacks on livestock and, in some cases, humans.
To reduce such risks and improve safety, the Nagpur Rural Police and the Maharashtra Forest Department have jointly implemented the AI-based monitoring system. Recently, the system issued an alert indicating the presence of a tiger near Pipariya village, prompting villagers and forest officials to take precautionary measures.
Officials said the technology uses advanced cameras and artificial intelligence to detect wildlife activity. The system functions through two methods — bio-acoustic monitoring, which identifies specific warning calls made by animals such as deer, monkeys, and peacocks when predators are nearby, and bio-visual detection, where cameras capture images of wild animals moving through forested areas.
When the system detects unusual sounds or captures images of predators, it analyses the data and sends real-time alerts to forest officials and villagers via mobile phones, enabling them to respond quickly and avoid dangerous encounters.
According to Harsh Poddar, Superintendent of Police for Nagpur Rural, the project was initiated after several fatal incidents involving wild animal attacks were reported in the region over the past two to three years. During this period, at least 15 villagers lost their lives in attacks by tigers or leopards, often triggering public anger and law-and-order challenges.
The AI system has been developed with the support of Marvel Organization, which works on promoting the use of artificial intelligence in government departments. Poddar also serves as the organisation’s CEO.
Authorities have identified 40 high-risk locations in the forest and village boundary areas where the monitoring cameras will be installed. The system has already become operational at three locations, and in the past four days alone it has issued two alerts about the presence of tigers and leopards.
The project is currently being implemented in areas around Khapa and Parseoni as well. Officials are also considering expanding the technology to other tiger reserves such as Navegaon–Nagzira Tiger Reserve and Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in the future.
Authorities believe that the AI-driven system will help reduce human-wildlife conflict, enhance early warning mechanisms, and improve safety for villagers living near forest areas.
