Maharashtra: Pench Tiger Reserve Installs India’s First AI Forest Fire Detection System

From Pixels to Preservation: Pench’s AI forest fire detection system.

1 June 2024

By Payoshi Bisht

In a groundbreaking move aimed at increasing conservation efforts, the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has become the pioneer in India to implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based forest fire detection system. Covering over 350 square kilometres of the reserve, this state-of-the-art technology marks a significant leap forward in forest management and wildlife protection.

Speaking on this pioneering initiative, Prabhu Nath Shukla, deputy director of Pench, highlighted the revolutionary nature of the project. “None of the country’s tiger reserves is using AI-based technology to detect forest fires,” he emphasised, underlining the innovative approach undertaken by PTR.

The cornerstone of this initiative is the Um-grauemeio forest fire early warning detection system, a technology renowned for its effectiveness in combating wildfires in the Amazon rainforest. The AI-powered platform, dubbed Pantera, integrates both camera feeds and satellite-based data to deliver real-time alerts within a mere three minutes of detecting forest fires.

At the heart of the system lies a high-resolution camera with an impressive 15-kilometre visual range, strategically positioned to survey the vast expanse of the tiger reserve. Shukla explained, “The integration of 15 commercial satellite services with this system represents a pioneering approach in forest fire management,” underscoring the comprehensive nature of the solution.

Furthermore, the incorporation of satellite data amplifies the system’s efficacy by complementing alerts generated by the camera. This synergy between ground-based and space-based technologies promises to revolutionise forest fire detection and response efforts, ensuring timely intervention to safeguard the invaluable biodiversity of Pench Tiger Reserve.