Supriya Sahu (second left), Secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, reviewing the performance of the AI-based early warning system in Madukkarai forest range in Coimbatore district on March 3, 2025. Photo: Special Arrangement

The artificial intelligence (AI) based early warning system implemented by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department in the Madukkarai forest range of the Coimbatore Forest Division has aided in 2,500 safe crossings of wild elephants across railway tracks.

Supriya Sahu, Secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, who was pivotal in implementing the project in February 2024, reviewed the functioning of the early warning system on Monday.

Ms. Sahu visited the command centre of the early warning system in Madukkarai forest range, near the Tamil Nadu – Kerala border, and interacted with senior officials of the Forest Department and the staff.

After her site visit on Monday evening, Ms. Sahu posted on X that the result of the early warning system in the past one year was “stunning”.

She posted that the system helped the Department achieve zero elephant accidents. The system generated 5,011 alerts and enabled 2,500 safe elephant crossings.

 “AI-powered thermal cameras installed on 12 towers, controlled by a command centre manned by local tribal youth monitor railway tracks 24/7, alerting loco drivers and patrolling teams in real time. Two underpasses made by Railways are being used by elephants extensively. A model of tech-driven wildlife conservation by Tamil Nadu Forest Department and Indian Railways. Fascinating impact!,” she posted on X.

She was accompanied by T. Ritto Cyriac, Special Secretary (Forests), Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department; Srinivas R. Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of the Forest Force; Rakesh Kumar Dogra, PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden; D. Venkatesh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, and N. Jayaraj, District Forest Officer, Coimbatore, were present.

Mementos were presented to five forest guards, 15 track watchers and four staff of the command centre for their performances.

Earlier in the day, Ms. Sahu visited Pethikuttai reserve forest in Sirumugai forest range of Coimbatore division and reviewed the progress of Tamil Nadu’s first rescue, treatment and rehabilitation centre for wildlife, works of which are nearing completion.

Officials said that Ms. Sahu will visit Boluvampatti forest range on Tuesday and review the progress of a rehabilitation centre for captive elephants that is coming up in the forest at Chadivayal.