Bhubaneswar: Additional Chief Secretary Home, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Satyabrata Sahu has said the intersection of technology and wildlife conservation marks a pivotal moment in the fight to preserve wildlife and their habitats.
Shri Sahu was addressing State Level Wildlife Week Celebration organized by Wildlife Wing of Department of Forest here on 3 October at Mayfair Convention Hall.
Minister Fores, Environment & Climate Change, Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, PCCF& HoFF, Debidutta Biswal, PCCF Wildlife, Susanta Nanda and others graced the occasion.
PCCF Wildlife Shri Nanda highlighted activities taken up by State Wildlife Organization during 2024.
ACS Shri Sahu said Innovations like Artificial Intelligence(AI), Deployment of V-SAT, Drone and others are revolutionizing conservation efforts, offering unprecedented tools to monitor, protect, and study wildlife.
The collaboration between technology and conservation demonstrates the potential to revolutionize wildlife preservation, pointed out ACS Shri Sahu.
He said these advancements offers hope for a future where cutting-edge technology plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our planet’s precious biodiversity.
ACS Shri Sahu said Odisha Government has taken up developmental and protection measures in Similipal, Satkosia and other Forests in a big way.
Deployment of STPF in Similipal and Satkosia, drive against illegal guns and gun manufacturing units in these forests have yielded positive results.
While modern weapons are made available and Ex-Military Personnel are deployed in Tiger Reserves has contained criminal activities in these Forests, said ACS Shri Sahu.
State Government is regularly monitoring progress of implementation of Comprehensive Action Plan, said Shri Sahu, adding handholding in investigation to DFOs regarding procedures and collection of evidences has resulted in wildlife crime prevention in a big way.
ACS Shri Sahu said Human-Wildlife Conflict Management is given priority and 19 well equipped RRT Teams are set up across the State.
Rescue and Rehabilitation efforts have been expedited. Capacity building of staff and stakeholders are given utmost importance and accordingly various steps are taken up in this regard, said Shri Sahu.