Early detection system to reduce conflicts in Sundarbans

Mumbai: In a significant step toward the mitigation of conflict between humans and big cats in Sundarbans, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has introduced the Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System (ANIDERS) in the Raidighi Range, 24 Parganas (South) Forest Division of West Bengal.

This initiative aims to address the challenges posed by human-wildlife interactions, particularly involving flagship species such as tigers and leopards, according to a WTI press statement issued on Wednesday.

Several villages of the Kultali block share their boundaries with the nearby tiger habitat and often face tiger ingressions throughout the year, especially in winter.

Bengal Tiger_ Mangrove_Sundarbans_West Bengal.

For strengthening and tackling human-tiger conflict (HTC) in Sundarbans, WTI and 24 Parganas (South) Forest Division have been installing ANIDERS along with the camera traps in selected vulnerable areas in Herobhanga-09 forest compartment under Raidighi Range.

ANIDERS is a non-lethal technology-based tool which has been used widely to prevent wildlife intrusion into human-dominated landscapes. 

ANIDERS (Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System) is a non-lethal technology-based tool.

This initiative aims to enhance the early-warning mechanisms and support the Forest Department in handling ingressions before the animal enters the nearby village.

Each device covers a minimum of 25 to 30 metres in a 180 ° angle from its centre point, and each is powered by a non-renewable energy source, i.e., a solar power panel. This pilot initiative is currently being implemented on a limited scale for a defined period of time to assess the technical feasibility, operational reliability, detection accuracy and the effectiveness of the devices in reducing tiger ingressions.

Net fencing to reduce Human-Tiger conflict mitigation efforts in Sundarbans, West Bengal.

Samrat Paul, Field Officer, Sundarban Tiger Project, WTI, said, “So far, we have installed 4 ANIDERS. These devices use advanced motion-sensing technology to detect animals at entry points. The initiative will support monitoring animal movement around these locations and help identify the most vulnerable entry points, enabling more effective management and mitigation strategies.”

Dr. Abhishek Ghoshal, Division Head, Conflict Mitigation Division, said, “We piloted it in Pilibhit and Katerniaghat last year, and now we are introducing it in Sundarban for the first time. It will help us understand if ANIDERS can function effectively in a mangrove ecosystem in deterring tigers from entering villages from creeks or forests”.

In the long run, the incorporation of these devices in human-tiger conflict (HTC) mitigation policy and budgetary planning would support sustainable and cost-effective non-lethal approaches towards mitigation in human-tiger conflict (HTC) incidents in the area.

Four ANIDERS devices have been strategically installed in the Herobhanga 09 forest compartment of South 24 Pargana Forest Division.

Under the pilot phase of this project, four ANIDERS devices have been strategically installed in the Herobhanga 09 forest compartment of South 24 Pargana Forest Division, and the remaining will be installed in nearby forest fringe villages like Gurguria, Nagenabad, and Ambikanagar of Kultali block.