How Drones Are Saving Rhinos: Kaziranga’s High-Tech Fight Against Poaching
The greatest number of one-horned rhinoceroses in the world can be found in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park. However, poachers have posed a serious threat to this protected species for a long time. Despite their diligence, forest officials’ traditional patrolling techniques were unable to cover the park’s large and dense terrain. The park officials made the decision to incorporate technology into their conservation efforts in order to address this problem more successfully.
The first protected area in India to use drones to protect wildlife was Kaziranga in 2013. Since then, these unmanned aerial vehicles have emerged as a vital instrument for monitoring the terrain, tracking movement, and discouraging poaching. In areas that are inaccessible or remote and may take hours for ground patrols to reach, drones are particularly helpful.
The drones utilized in Kaziranga are outfitted with GPS units and high-definition cameras. They make surveillance faster and more effective by enabling forest officials to receive real-time footage and alerts. Now, authorities are able to identify possible dangers or questionable behavior early and act quickly. In recent years, poaching incidents have decreased as a result of this significant improvement in response time.
Drones have been used to monitor other wildlife and keep an eye out for illegal activities or encroachment into the park, in addition to protecting rhinos. They are also crucial during flood seasons, providing an aerial perspective of the impacted regions and aiding in the search for potentially stranded or endangered animals.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Trust of India have endorsed the drone initiative. These groups have provided funding as well as staff training in data handling and drone operation. Forest guards are now more capable and self-assured when using contemporary conservation tools.
There are still some difficulties in spite of the achievements. Drone use is occasionally limited by low battery life, inclement weather, and technical difficulties. To enhance performance, better models and frequent upgrades are being released. To improve nighttime surveillance, officials are also investigating the use of thermal imaging and night vision.
The use of drones by Kaziranga is a potent illustration of how contemporary technology can complement conventional conservation initiatives. Drone surveillance may soon be used as a standard procedure for protecting wildlife in many regions of India with further development and assistance.
CEO, Mavdrones
Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.
