Ranchi, July 16 : An 18-year-old student from Jharkhand has developed a low-cost, artificial intelligence-powered device aimed at reducing human-elephant conflict, with the Jharkhand Forest Department currently testing the innovation at the Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR).
Avi Mohan Kumar Shukla, who recently completed his Class 12 board examinations from a school in Ranchi, designed the solar-powered device, named ‘Innobox’, to detect the movement of elephants and other wild animals before they enter villages or agricultural fields.
The AI-enabled system uses sensors and machine-learning technology to identify approaching animals and provide early warnings, helping villagers take precautionary measures before encounters occur. The device is designed to operate on solar power, making it suitable for remote forest-fringe areas with limited access to electricity.
The Forest Department has begun testing the prototype in conflict-prone areas of the Palamau Tiger Reserve to evaluate its effectiveness in providing timely alerts and reducing incidents of crop damage, property loss and human casualties caused by elephant movement.
Human-elephant conflict remains a major challenge in several districts of Jharkhand, where wild elephants frequently stray into villages in search of food, damaging crops and occasionally causing fatalities. Officials believe that affordable, technology-driven solutions like Innobox could strengthen wildlife conservation efforts while improving the safety of people living near forests.
The innovation has drawn attention for demonstrating how young innovators can use artificial intelligence to address real-world environmental and wildlife conservation challenges. If successful, the device could offer a scalable and cost-effective solution for conflict-prone regions across the state and beyond.
