Vijayawada: In a move to prevent tragic human-elephant encounters, deputy chief minister and minister for forest and environment, K Pawan Kalyan, has directed officials to implement AI-driven tracking and advanced warning systems. The decision follows the recent elephant attack near the Gundala Kona Shiva Temple, which resulted in three deaths and left two others injured in the Koduru forest range of Annamayya district.
During a high-level review meeting with top officials, Pawan Kalyan emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure public safety. He instructed the Forest Department to adopt AI-based monitoring tools, radio-collaring technology, and other advanced tracking mechanisms to detect elephant movements and issue timely alerts. Karnataka’s successful AI-driven elephant tracking initiatives will be studied and adapted for implementation in Andhra Pradesh.
In addition to technology-driven solutions, the deputy chief minister called for the barricading of railway lines in elephant-prone areas and increased public awareness campaigns. These campaigns will educate local residents and temple-goers on elephant behavior, safety precautions, and emergency response measures.
Officials from the forest, police, endowments, and revenue departments have been directed to coordinate efforts, particularly during religious events in forested regions, to prevent future incidents. Pawan Kalyan stressed that a long-term strategy balancing human safety with wildlife conservation is crucial for sustainable solutions.
The meeting saw participation from principal chief conservator of forests Chiranjeevi Chaudhary, while Annamayya district collector Chamakuri Sridhar, SP Vidyasagar Naidu, and DFA Jagannath Singh joined via video conference.
