Pench Tiger Reserve Launches First Advanced AI System for Forest Fire Detection

The Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has introduced an advanced AI system for early forest fire detection.

About AI System 

• High-Tech Camera: The system includes a high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera with a 15 km visual range, covering over 350 sq km of the reserve.
  • The PTZ camera is installed on an existing tower located on a high hill (540 meters above sea level) near Kirringisarra village, at the center of Pench.
  • The control room for the system is situated in the West Pench range office in Kolitmara.
• Satellite Integration: Pantera combines live camera footage with information from 15 commercial satellite services (a first-of-its-kind approach).

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Benefits of AI system in Tiger reserve

Faster and More Accurate Alerts: The system can detect fires using a camera and satellites, and tell the difference between smoke and clouds. 

• • This means firefighters will get quicker and more reliable alerts.
• Predicts Future Fires: The system uses weather data and past fire history to predict where fires might happen next. 
  • This helps park rangers prepare firefighting efforts in advance.
• Tracks Firefighting Resources: The system can locate fire trucks and water tanks with GPS, so firefighters can respond faster.
• Weather Data and Forecasting: The system also analyzes temperature, precipitation, and wind data, along with past fire incidents, to forecast potential future fires, aiding in proactive fire control planning.
  • Day and Night Monitoring: The camera has night vision, so fires can be spotted even in the dark.
• Faster Response Times: Pantera, the AI platform, analyzes data from the camera and satellites in real-time, providing fire alerts within 3 minutes. This allows for a quicker response by firefighters.
• Enhanced Resource Management: The system can be integrated with GPS-equipped fire trucks and water tanks, allowing for real-time tracking of these resources. 
  • This facilitates efficient deployment during fire emergencies.
• Improved Forest and Wildlife Protection: With faster detection, accurate alerts, and better resource management, the AI system significantly improves the chances of containing fires early on. 
  • This helps protect vast areas of forest land and the diverse wildlife within the reserve.

Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR)

• Geographical Coverage: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
• Components: 
  • Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park
  • Pench Mowgli Sanctuary, 
  • A buffer zone.
• Naming: It is  named After Pench River. 
• Climate: Extreme and tropical weather. 
• National Park and Tiger Reserve Status:
  • Declared a National Park by the Government of Maharashtra in 1975.Granted tiger reserve status in 1998-1999.
  • The Madhya Pradesh (PTR)  section received tiger reserve status earlier, in 1992-1993.
    • It is the Part of the major Protected Areas in the Satpura-Maikal ranges of the Central Highlands.
      • Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) of India.
• The area of this tiger reserve is recognised as the real life setting for Rudyard Kipling’s famous “The Jungle Book”. 

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Flora and Fauna

• Flora: 
  • Tendu, teak, saag, mahua.
• Fauna: 
  • Gaur, Nilgai, Sambar, Chital, Chousingha, Pintail, Whistling Teal, Vegtel.
  • Birds: It comprises peafowl, magpie robin, pintail, drongo, unia, myna etc.

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