CHIKKAMAGALURU: Where the human eye can’t reach, the drones can and that seems to be the reason why forest officials in the dense tracts of Mudigere sub-division in Chikkamagaluru have started deploying GPS enabled drone cameras which can capture aerial and ground images. This has made it easy for them to reach inaccessible points in the thickly wooded forests.
The drones have been pushed into service for a fortnight now. Mudigere sub-division is the first territorial forest division to get this kind of technology to guard forest areas. Assistant Conservator of Forests, Dinesh Kumar says, “There are mountains and valleys in Mudigere and some areas are difficult to access for our men. A drone camera gives us an aerial view, we can reach these points quickly especially when there is a forest fire.”
Even the dependence on forest staff has been reduced since the high definition camera fitted on a drone, can provide pictures from a long distance to enable forest personnel reach the spot fast. With Mudigere sub-division having 19 posts vacant in a total of 52, drones are proving to be of immense help in protection of flora and fauna.
The uses of drones does not stop at patrolling alone, says Mr Dinesh adding that even movement of animals, mainly elephants can be monitored. When animal rescue operations are required, drones can locate the animal so that it can be tranquilised without much difficulty.
The drones are enabled with GPS technology and can help spot encroachments, if any, in the region besides illegal tree felling. After drones, Mr Dinesh plans to avail Thermal Imaging Cameras to monitor the forests during night time.
