bengal-forest-dept-starts-drone-surveillance-in-jaldapara

Concerned about possible poaching, the West Bengal Forest Department has started micro-drone surveillance in North Bengal's Jaldapara National Park. This action follows Assam's recent decision to permit poachers to be killed with a gun. 

 

The surveillance began a month ago and also aims to prevent timber smuggling in the 216.15 square kilometer park, home to over 200 rhinos, as well as bison, elephants, and deer.

 

Although no unusual activity has been detected so far, forest officials plan to increase the number of drones monitoring Jaldapara, which is a popular tourist destination and was a favourite vacation spot for former Chief Minister Jyoti Basu. Currently, four micro-drones are being used to patrol the park.

 

The last wildlife census in 2022 counted 292 one-horned rhinos in Jaldapara National Park.

 

"We are on high alert due to intelligence reports suggesting that poachers from the Northeast might target the Bengal forest, especially after Assam's strict measures against rhino poaching," said Parveen Keshwan, Divisional Forest Officer at Jaldapara. 

 

The use of micro-drones is part of a broader strategy to prevent poaching.

 

In Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, poaching has sharply declined due to efforts involving special commandos, advanced technology, and trained canine units. 

 

These commandos are part of a specialized task force, similar to the National Security Guard (NSG), and are skilled in counter-insurgency operations. 

Kaziranga has seen several incidents where poachers were intercepted and killed by these units.

 

"The micro-drones can cover the dense and remote areas of Jaldapara much faster than traditional patrols using trained elephants. If any suspicious activity is detected, our armed guards will respond immediately, either on vehicles or elephants, depending on the terrain," explained a forest department official.

 

While using regular drones requires approval from the central government, which can be time-consuming, there are no such restrictions on micro-drones. These smaller drones are ideal for reaching isolated parts of the forest and providing precise visual data.

 

The concern over poaching is not unfounded—two years ago, a female rhino was killed and its horn was taken in Jaldapara. In 2018, two rhinos were poached in nearby Gorumara National Park, also in north Bengal. 

 

The Forest Department remains vigilant to protect the wildlife in these areas.