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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, has initiated official action on a representation submitted by Shri Ananthan Ayyasamy, BJP District President, Tenkasi, seeking AI-based thermal sensing camera systems to reduce human-wildlife conflict in the Western Ghats region of Tenkasi district.
Shri Ananthan Ayyasamy had written to Hon'ble Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav Ji on 14 July 2026, seeking Central support to deploy AI-enabled thermal sensing cameras in vulnerable forest-fringe areas including Kadayam, Courtallam, Sengottai, Kadayanallur, Puliyankudi and Sivagiri. He highlighted the increasing movement of elephants, wild boars and other wildlife into villages and farmland, posing threats to human life, damaging crops and property, and endangering wildlife — and proposed the cameras as a real-time early warning system enabling preventive action before animals enter human habitations.
Acting promptly, the Ministry's Project Tiger & Elephant Division, by communication dated 17 July 2026 (F. No. 2-8/2015-PE, E-81830), has forwarded the proposal to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Tamil Nadu, requesting the State Government to examine it in view of the prevailing human-wildlife conflict in the district, assess the suitability and effectiveness of AI-based thermal sensing cameras and other mitigation measures, and submit a report at the earliest for further necessary action. A copy has been endorsed to the PCCF & Head of Forest Force, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Welcoming the response, Shri Ananthan Ayyasamy said:
"I sincerely thank Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Hon'ble Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav Ji for the prompt attention given to this important public safety issue. The Ministry's action within days of my representation reflects the Central Government's commitment to addressing genuine public concerns. I hope the Government of Tamil Nadu will examine the proposal expeditiously so that this technology can be implemented to protect both people and wildlife in Tenkasi district."