AI early warning system to protect people from wild elephants in Sherpur Hills

Bangladesh will install 15 AI-powered early warning devices in Sherpur’s Garo Hills to detect wild elephants, alert communities, reduce human-elephant conflict, protect livelihoods, and support wildlife conservation.

Bangladesh is set to install artificial intelligence-powered early warning devices in the Garo Hills of Sherpur district to help prevent wild elephants from entering villages and reduce the risk to people and property. In the first phase, 15 devices will be installed across elephant conflict hotspots to detect elephant movement and immediately alert nearby residents.

The initiative was announced at a seminar organized by the Nalitabari Upazila administration at the Mahua Rest House auditorium inside Madhutila Eco Park on Saturday afternoon.

Speakers at the seminar said wild elephants from the Garo Hills are increasingly entering human settlements because of deforestation, shrinking habitats and a shortage of food. The incursions have caused extensive damage to crops and homes while also leading to loss of human life. Local residents have long relied on burning torches and setting off firecrackers to drive the animals away but those measures have failed to provide a lasting solution.

Sherpur-2 lawmaker Engineer Fahim Chowdhury, speaking as the chief guest, said the use of modern technology has become essential to ensure peaceful coexistence between people and wild elephants. He said the AI-based early detection devices would provide advance warnings that could significantly reduce casualties and limit losses suffered by farmers.

Abrar Ahmad, Community Governance Specialist at Creative Conservation Alliance, presented the keynote paper. He said the technology-driven initiative would play an effective role in conserving wild elephants while improving the safety of local communities.

Among those who also addressed the seminar were Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Farida Yasmin, Mymensingh Divisional Forest Officer Kazi Nurul Karim, Wild Elephant Conservation Committee member and journalist Monirul Islam Monir and Union Parishad Chairman Mizanur Rahman.

The seminar was attended by Nalitabari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdul Malek, Assistant Conservator of Forests Sadek Ali Khan, Range Officer Dewan Ali and representatives from the Forest Department, local administration and elected public representatives.

Source: The Daily Samakal.