Tethered drones operated by the Tamil Nadu Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Corporation (TNUAVC) have added an extra layer of safety for elephants, preventing them from getting hit by moving trains in the Solakkarai reserve forest of Madukkarai range in Coimbatore district.
TNUAVC launched trial run of three tethered drones in Solakkarai RF from January 20, filling the blind spots of the existing AI-based early warning system of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department implemented two years ago.
The drones, connected to power source from the ground with cable for non-stop operation, fly at a height of 100 to 150 feet at two locations along ‘B’ line and one location on ‘A’ line — the twin single line connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
AI-based warning system helped 2,800 safe crossings of elephants through railway tracks near Coimbatore
The ‘B’ and ‘A’ lines together have 12 high mast towers of the AI-based early warning system introduced in February 2024.
