Tamil Nadu Leads with AI in Wildlife Protection and Climate Solutions

Tamil Nadu has deployed AI tools to mitigate human-animal conflicts, notably reducing wild elephant incidents. The state also implements climate models and coastal protection with community involvement. Waste management efforts are being strengthened to reduce landfill accumulation, with over 70 sites bio-mined.

Tamil Nadu is making strides in using artificial intelligence to address human-animal conflicts, specifically targeting incidents with wild elephants. The state's Additional Chief Secretary for Climate Change and Forests, Supriya Sahu, highlighted how AI and machine learning have minimized elephant-related incidents by deploying thermal sensors and AI-equipped cameras.

This initiative, which has dramatically reduced elephant deaths in regions like Madukkarai, also features community alerts that involve local residents, train operators, and forest officials. Plans are underway to expand this project to other areas, such as the Nilgiris.

Beyond safeguarding wildlife, Tamil Nadu is also advancing climate change models with partners like IIT Madras and globally recognized organizations. Efforts to bolster coastal resilience involve collaboration with the World Bank to rehabilitate mangroves and protect communities from natural disasters. Simultaneously, waste management practices are being enhanced to decrease landfill dependency.

(With inputs from agencies.)