The Maharashtra government has approved a major Rs 260 crore action plan aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict across the state, including the installation of artificial intelligence-based alert systems in 1,000 villages, an official said.
Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik announced the decision during a meeting of the State Wildlife Board’s standing committee held at the Mantralaya in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Under the project, AI-based warning systems will be installed in villages located near forest areas to alert residents about the movement of wild animals.
The technology has already been tested on a pilot basis in some locations and was found to be effective in informing villagers quickly about the presence of wildlife outside forest zones, officials said.
Officials said the system would help residents remain alert and reduce attacks on humans.
Ten advanced control rooms to be set up
The Forest Department will also establish ten modern control rooms across different parts of the state, modelled on police control centres.
These centres will use digital systems to monitor forest department resources, vehicles and patrol teams.
In the event of a human-wildlife conflict situation, the control rooms will immediately alert concerned authorities and coordinate emergency action.
Rescue centres and treatment facilities planned
The government has approved the construction of two rescue centres for captured wild animals.
In addition, ten transit treatment centres will be established to provide medical care to injured or rescued animals.
Forest officials said these facilities would improve wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Maharashtra.
Rapid rescue teams and village response units
The state also plans to create 20 rapid rescue teams to respond quickly to wildlife emergencies.
Alongside this, around 2,000 primary response teams involving local villagers will be formed in forest-area villages to assist the Forest Department during emergencies involving wild animals.
Special mobile squads will be formed to capture animals such as deer, monkeys and wild boars that damage agricultural crops.
These teams will travel to affected areas, capture the animals and release them back into forest regions.
The squads will be equipped with modern equipment and specialised tools.
Sterilisation centres
The state government is also considering setting up two sterilisation centres to control the population of monkeys and wild boars.
Officials believe the measures will help reduce crop damage and minimise conflict between humans and wildlife in rural areas.
Naik directed officials to implement the approved measures without delay.
