India, July 8 -- Amid the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity, artificial intelligence (AI) can be a valuable ally for forest and wildlife conservation. From acoustic surveillance systems to AI-assisted reforestation planning, new technologies are being deployed across India. Recently, several states have started using AI-enabled alert systems and cameras for forest management, identifying poachers and trespassers, and tracking animals to prevent human-animal conflict. Tamil Nadu has used AI surveillance systems to avert forest fires. The Railways introduced an AI-enabled Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) system to prevent elephants and other wildlife from being struck by trains.

Traditionally, forest governance has relied on satell...