Latest news with #IAnwardeen
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
TN foresters to get eyes in the sky to guard against poachers, wildfires
Chennai: Tamil Nadu forest department is rolling out a major tech upgrade by training its field staff to operate newly procured advanced drones. These drones are set to be game-changers in tracking elephants, tackling forest fires and supporting anti-poaching patrols. These drones, funded under the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project Climate Change Response (TBGPCCR), will be deployed across 13 territorial forest circles. Chief project director of TBGPCCR, I Anwardeen, said that the drones' sophisticated features, including a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera and a thermal sensor with zoom, enable effective night-time operations. With integrated GPS coordinates, the drones will provide real-time tracking of wildlife, particularly elephants, offering timely alerts to nearby villages and human settlements when animals stray into inhabited areas. The drones can also pinpoint the origin of fires and assess whether such areas are accessible to ground teams. Additionally, post-fire surveys conducted using these drones will yield vital information on the damage to tree species, wildlife, and smaller mammals, facilitating better rehabilitation strategies. Their compatibility with add-ons such as searchlights and speakers further enhances their operational effectiveness, especially in challenging terrain or emergency scenarios. A laser range finder adds to their capability, ensuring extensive and precise coverage. Anwardeen highlighted the time these drones save, saying that tasks which previously required 20 days of manual effort can now be completed in half a day. To ensure effective deployment, three forest staff members from each circle will undergo specialized training to become drone pilots. This strategic training initiative aims to build a skilled workforce ready to harness the full potential of drone technology. Furthermore, the department is planning to procure another category of drones focused on mapping forest areas, studying various forest types, conducting terrain modelling, and topographical analysis.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Forest dept creates tourism spots in Eastern Ghats
Chennai: This summer, ditch the crowd and discover the tranquil beauty of the Eastern Ghats, where the state govt's eco-tourism wing is offering a refreshing alternative to the usual getaways in the Western Ghats. The Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project Climate Change Response (TBGPCCR) has launched eco-tourism across seven picturesque and culturally rich destinations within the Eastern Ghats. According to I Anwardeen, chief project director, these spots were handpicked for their distinctive landscapes and cultural value. What sets this initiative apart is its community-driven model. Local tribal communities manage these tourism sites under the supervision of district forest officials. The income generated directly supports these communities, enhancing their livelihoods while promoting conservation. The destinations include two locations each in the Salem and Namakkal forest divisions, and one each in Tiruvannamalai, Hosur, and Tiruppattur. Visitors can experience these eco-friendly retreats at prices ranging from 1,000 to 5,000, making them both affordable and impactful. The trekking sheds are thoughtfully placed in secluded, hill-surrounded areas where even mobile connectivity is absent, allowing for a true escape into nature. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo In Namakkal district, Kolli Hills stands out with its Akaasaganga waterfall, where guests staying in trekking sheds can relax in natural surroundings. The area is also known for its abundant pineapple and tapioca cultivation and boasts thousands of medicinal plant species used by traditional healers. Aiyur village in the Hosur Forest Division is another highlight. Here, a forest department guest house nestles within a bamboo grove. From October to February, the weather remains delightfully cold. A zipline installed on-site offers adventure amidst the serene forest, and a waterfall lies just a few kilometers away. These examples are just a glimpse of the offerings in the Eastern Ghats developed by the TBGPCCR.
New Indian Express
16-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Wild elephant profiling to be extended to all forest divisions in Tamil Nadu
COIMBATORE: In an effort to mitigate human-elephant conflict, the government would soon extend elephant profiling to all the forest divisions across the state. Profiling involves noting the physical characteristics and assigning a name to a wild elephant to enable easy identification and tracking. Behavioural aspects too are compiled. Elephant profiling tasks, which were carried out earlier only in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts, was stopped due to administrative reasons. As part of reviving the project, a training programme was held in association with NGO Osai for forest range officers and foresters, at the Tamil Nadu Forest Academy in Coimbatore on Wednesday. 'We have commenced the training programme as part of the Thadam project under Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project for Climate Change Response (TBGPCCR). Our primary aim is to understand the morphological features and behavioural characterisation between individual elephants and identify them using separate IDs, similar to the task being done for the individual tigers. We have identified 105 conflict-prone villages and taken steps to address it by creating awareness and taking steps to address the human-elephant conflict scientifically.' said I Anwardeen, principal chief conservator of forests and chief project director of TBGPCCR. 'We are working out the standard operating procedures for farmers for warding off the wild animals in the forest boundaries,' he added.
