Forest department to use AI technology for ensuring safety of people
Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan has announced an immediate compensation to the families of the deceased in the elephant herd attack on devotees in Annamayya district.
He said an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh would be provided to the family of each dead and Rs 5 lakh to each injured. He told forest officials appropriate measures should be taken to protect those who go to temples in forest areas on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri and that coordination should be made with the police, endowments and revenue departments.
Three people died and two others were injured when elephants trampled them near Gundala Kona in the Kodur forest range of Annamaya district on Monday night. PK, who is in charge of the forests, held a review with senior forest department officials, Annamaya district collector and SP at his camp office on Tuesday.
Pawan Kalyan expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the families of the injured. He discussed various issues with the forest and wildlife conservation officials. He said the people in the areas where elephants roam should be kept alert and provided with protection. “AI technology is being used in Karnataka. This and other technologies and procedures should be examined and implemented in AP too.”
He said railway lines should be barricaded in areas where elephants move. He suggested setting up radio collaring and other advanced early warning systems to track elephant movements.
A special activity should be designed to make local residents and pilgrims going to temples in forest areas aware of elephant behaviour, the precautions to be taken, and safety measures. He instructed the forest and wildlife conservation officers to find long-term solutions to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Principal chief conservator of forests Chiranjeevi Chowdhury, senior officials and others were present in the meeting.
