logo
AI-based cameras help nab 80% of all poachers in last 2 years: STR authorities

AI-based cameras help nab 80% of all poachers in last 2 years: STR authorities

Time of India4 days ago
1
2
Bhubaneswar: Images captured by AI-based cameras have helped Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities nab 80% of poachers months after their trespassing in the last two years, while only around 20% are caught or intercepted red-handed, officials said.
Similipal authorities said close to 51 poachers were arrested between April and July this year due to the AI-enabled surveillance. A total of 140 such cameras have been installed across the 2,750 sq km reserve, including the core area.
"Poachers' images captured by the cameras are analysed, and they are traced with the help of intelligence inputs and days of surveillance. It's not that they are caught during the act of trespassing or poaching — many flee and are tracked down days or even months later.
In some cases, older camera footage is collated and analysed," said Similipal field director Prakash Gogineni.
He added, "In a recent case where seven persons were arrested for possessing two leopard hides in the Baripada division, the actual hunting had taken place years ago, but a camera image eventually led to their identification and arrest."
On Monday, an AI trail-guard camera helped nab two poachers under Thakundmunda police station limits in Similipal's north division.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Want to work flexibly?
Siemens
Undo
Wildlife personnel seized a bow, arrow, wild boar trap, sambar meat, and a bamboo platform. The poachers were identified as Fakira Chakira (44) and Kamala Dangil (21).
Officials explained that the AI trail-guard is a camera-based surveillance system designed to strengthen wildlife conservation and mitigate human-wildlife conflict. "It uses artificial intelligence to detect and identify threats such as poachers, illegal loggers, or even animals entering populated areas," said a senior wildlife officer.
Similipal authorities also noted that since the special anti-poaching drive began two years ago, there have been no reports of repeat offenders. The reserve is the only one in India that provides year-round rations to its 800-member protection force. Started last year, the initiative costs the forest department Rs 1.8 crore annually.
Wildlife officials further said there is no longer any patch in the 2,750 sq km reserve that remains inaccessible. During the monsoon, the wildlife wing previously used special foot patrol strategies due to the impassability of forest routes. Now, the personnel continue patrolling deep forest trails — often used by poachers — on foot, aided by specialised all terrain vehicles provided to each team.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Governor C V Ananda Bose returns Bengal rape bill after Centre flags concerns
Governor C V Ananda Bose returns Bengal rape bill after Centre flags concerns

Time of India

time33 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Governor C V Ananda Bose returns Bengal rape bill after Centre flags concerns

West Bengal governor C V Ananda Bose (Pic credit: ANI) KOLKATA: West Bengal governor C V Ananda Bose has returned the Aparajita bill to the Assembly for reconsideration, citing serious objections raised by the Centre regarding proposed changes to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to a high-ranking Raj Bhavan source. The Centre found that the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, passed in Sept 2024, contains changes in penal provisions for rape under multiple BNS sections, proposing "excessively harsh and disproportionate" punishments, sources said. A major point of contention is an amendment to BNS section 64. The state bill increases the punishment for rape from the current minimum of 10 years to either imprisonment for the remainder of the convict's natural life or capital punishment. The ministry of home affairs (MHA) reportedly deemed this as unduly harsh and inconsistent with principles of proportionality. Another change that MHA has objected to involves the removal of BNS section 65, which prescribes stricter penalties for sexual assault of minors. According to sources, Union govt believe scrapping this clause weakens protections for the vulnerable groups and risks diluting the intent behind age-based classifications in rape laws. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo However, the clause that the Centre found most problematic is the one under section 66, making the death penalty mandatory in rape cases where the victim either dies or is left in a vegetative state. The MHA raised constitutional concerns, arguing that removing judicial discretion in sentencing violated established legal norms and Supreme Court rulings, sources said. State govt, however, said it had received no official communication either from the Centre nor the governor's office about these observations. Earlier, bills similar to Aparajita, like Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill, 2019, and Maharashtra Shakti Bill, 2020 - which had mandatory death penalty for all rape and gang-rape cases - were passed unanimously by state legislatures, but did not get President's assent. Trinamool Congress indicated the party would make it a political issue. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "The returning of the Aparajita bill is unfortunate, deplorable and condemnable... This has proved that BJP is unwilling to impose maximum punishment in these cases, as their members are implicated in molestations and rapes."

FIR after breach in contactless licence facility leads to 2 fraud cases
FIR after breach in contactless licence facility leads to 2 fraud cases

Time of India

time34 minutes ago

  • Time of India

FIR after breach in contactless licence facility leads to 2 fraud cases

Lucknow: The transport department, which has recently implemented an online Aadhaar-based contactless Learner Licence (Faceless LL) system under which applicants can take their LL tests from the comfort of their homes, has ordered revocation or cancellation of two licences allegedly acquired fraudulently. A detailed investigation has revealed that an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated video was created using the applicant's Aadhaar photograph, face authentication and liveness tests (such as eye blinking, smiling) to illegally bypass the test stages for the document. The LL test violation report indicated abnormalities like "No Eye Blink Detected," confirming that the applicant himself was not present during the test. The case was reported in the Transgomti Office, Lucknow. In another case reported from Fatehpur, the learner licence had suspicious entries such as the applicant's name recorded as "froud sale" and the father's name as "payment mat kar asre". Taking strict action in both the cases, transport commissioner, Brajesh Narain Singh, has directed the immediate registration of FIRs against the respective cyber cafés, agencies, or individuals involved. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Learn More Undo A comprehensive report is being sent to NIC and MoRTH for immediate implementation of critical security measures and technological improvements in the Sarathi software system, including OTP login, face verification, enhanced liveness tests, IP tracking, and other necessary security measures to prevent future occurrences. Instructions have also been issued for detailed investigations and comprehensive security audits of learner licences previously issued through all offices of the transport department.

Gang involved in digi arrest cases busted; three arrested
Gang involved in digi arrest cases busted; three arrested

Time of India

time34 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Gang involved in digi arrest cases busted; three arrested

Lucknow: Lucknow Police arrested three members of a pan-India cyber fraud gang involved in at least 67 scams across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh worth over Rs 100 crore. The gang was also involved in a recent case in the city where a 73-year-old woman was duped of Rs 56 lakh. Among those arrested are Mohammed Zaid, a law student from a private university, Chitransh Kunwar, a medical equipment businessman from Indiranagar, and Mohan Kumar Rawat of Sugamau. They used fake identities, forged court documents, and a numberless SUV posing as a legal vehicle to avoid suspicion. The kingpin, Sameer Ansari alias Munna Bhaiya, is currently absconding, and efforts are ongoing to trace him, said additional DCP, Cyber Cell, Rallapalli Vasanth Kumar. Kumar said that the gang came under the scanner after Rita Bhasin, a resident of IT Colony in Aishbagh, lodged a complaint on July 18. She was targeted by fraudsters posing as CBI officials who claimed her Aadhaar and mobile number were linked to criminal activity and that an FIR was registered in Andheri East, Mumbai. The scam further escalated when the caller initiated a WhatsApp video call, during which one of the fraudsters, dressed in a police uniform, aggressively threatened her, citing alleged links to a money laundering case and the possibility of jail time. According to the complaint, the victim, already in a state of anxiety, was coerced into isolating herself in a private space where she was forced to remain in view of a video camera. The fraudster even went as far as providing an "Supreme Court bank account" number, assuring her that transferring 99% of her funds would later be "recovered" following an investigation. Throughout the process, the culprits bolstered their deception by sending fake arrest warrants and court orders as further evidence of their fabricated authority. DCP Kumar added that the arrested individuals were found to have been using their vehicle—stripped of its number plate—to travel for money collection activities. "Investigations have so far uncovered 67 cases of similar fraud across different states, with the recovered funds funnelled into bank accounts provided by the accused," he said. Probe into the scam revealed that members of the gang communicated through a private group chat.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store