BHUBANESWAR: Technology has prevented tragedies from happening on railway tracks. An artificial intelligence (AI)-based thermal camera spotted the herd of 28 elephants, including calves, as they were walking along the Bandamunda-Barsuan railway tracks in Rourkula, which are frequented by goods trains.
As soon as the camera captured the movement of the elephant, it sent input information including location details and photos to both the forest department and railway control rooms. The railways acted quickly, delaying freight trains by 30 minutes to allow the elephant to cross the tracks.
According to forest officials, an AI camera detected the herd and captured images around 7pm on Saturday. “Within minutes of receiving the images and location information, it was decided that incoming trains would be delayed by 30 minutes at the nearest railway station in Ratikata. We also coordinated with the railways to ensure that the elephant crossed the tracks before ‘The train has arrived,’ said Rourkela forest range officer Jasobant Sethi.
Elephants usually migrate between the Sana Parbat Reserve Forest and the Tainsar below the Pamposh Range in Rourkela Forest Division. Sethi said the 360-degree movement of the camera helped it detect when the elephant crossed safely to the other side of the tracks, and then the train passed through the area.
In the 10 years up to December last year, 36 elephants were killed in collisions with trains. The advent of technology should help reduce such accidents.
Chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha said they have installed a 12-feet-tall tower with high-resolution AI cameras. “The cameras were installed at strategic locations. AI-based thermal cameras were first installed in the Similipart Tiger Reserve and their assistance led to the arrest of many poachers. We also plan to install them at these locations,” Jha said. .
