High-tech cameras to monitor wildlife in Maharashtra forests

PUNE: The Maharashtra government has decided to install infrared cameras in jungles to ensure continuous monitoring of nocturnal animals in order to collect data that can be used to improve wildlife management in the state.

The first such cameras, perched upon trees, were recently installed in forest areas of Pune and Solapur to track the movement pattern of mammals and birds to aid effective conservation measures.

"The movement of animals at night cannot be supervised by us...these self-operated cameras would come handy to detect the intricacies and behavioural pattern of warm-blooded animals (mammals and birds with fixed body temperature) when they approach the waterholes," Maharashtra conservator of forests (Wildlife) M K Rao said.

He said the electro-magnetic cameras, purchased with a central government grant, could produce a "good data" with photographic evidences to corroborate many things about the animals which are still unknown, throwing light on the mysteries of wildlife.

Four IR cameras with in-built sensors were installed near forest waterholes on a trial basis in the forests of Pune and Solapur to track the movement of animals as they pass through their range.

The IR cameras have a great utility value in conservation measures. They can be of help in projecting population of wildlife and the number of species in a particular area, Rao said.