India should expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI), drones, satellite mapping and predictive analytics to tackle the growing number of human-wildlife conflicts, according to a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
The panel has called for a technology-led approach that can warn communities before animals enter populated areas, improve wildlife monitoring and help forest officials respond faster, as pressure on forests and wildlife habitats continues to rise.
Also Read: India Eyes AI-Powered 1,000-km Kamikaze Drones to Boost Long-Range Precision Strike Capability
Parliament Backs AI-Powered Wildlife Monitoring
The committee commented that the traditional methods alone are no longer enough as encounters between people and wild animals increase across several states.
It recommended deploying AI-enabled surveillance systems, drones, camera traps, satellite imagery and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based smart maps to track animal movement and identify high-risk zones before conflicts occur.
The report also urged the government to build predictive models using wildlife movement, seasonal behaviour and habitat data so authorities can anticipate conflict hotspots instead of reacting after incidents take place. It said technology should support quicker decision-making, better planning and faster deployment of forest teams.
Also Read: Bengaluru Startup Unveils AI-Piloted Fighter Concept
Early Warning Systems and Better Coordination
The panel recommended creating integrated digital platforms using data from drones, sensors, GPS collars, satellite imagery & field staff.
Such systems could issue early warnings to nearby villages through mobile alerts and help officials coordinate rescue operations more efficiently.
It also stressed that technology should complement, rather than replace, frontline forest personnel. Better training, stronger digital infrastructure and closer coordination between research institutions, technology agencies and state forest departments were identified as key to making these systems work on the ground.
Also Read: AI and GIS Transform Defence Operations as India Moves Towards Predictive Battlefield Intelligence
Technology Already Showing Promise
Several states have already begun testing AI-based wildlife alert systems. AI-powered cameras, thermal drones, automated alerts and predictive monitoring are being used in pilot projects to track elephants, tigers and leopards near villages, helping reduce risks to both people and wildlife. The committee believes wider adoption of such technologies could strengthen conservation efforts while limiting crop damage, livestock losses and human casualties.
The recommendations reflect a broader shift towards using AI, geospatial intelligence and real-time monitoring to improve wildlife conservation and support safer coexistence between humans and animals as development and forest boundaries increasingly overlap.
As India accelerates the use of AI in public services, wildlife conservation is emerging as another area where predictive technology, drones and smart mapping could become part of mainstream governance, opening opportunities for geospatial, drone and AI solution providers.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
