Headline: Drone Squad Takes Flight to Monitor Wild Elephant Movement in Kerala’s Aralam
Subheadline: Kannur Forest Division deploys aerial surveillance to mitigate human-animal conflict and protect crops
KANNUR: In a significant move to address the escalating human-elephant conflict in the northern districts of Kerala, the Kannur Forest Division has officially launched a dedicated drone squad to monitor the movement of wild elephants in the Aralam region. The initiative, rolled out earlier this week, marks a technological turn in wildlife management in the state, aiming to provide real-time data to forest officials and reduce reliance on ground-level patrolling.
The Aralam area, situated near the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary and the expansive forest tracts of the Western Ghats, has witnessed a surge in elephant incursions into human settlements over the past few years. Local farmers and residents have frequently reported crop raids and property damage, leading to heightened tensions between the community and wildlife. With the formation of the drone squad, the forest department hopes to shift from reactive measures to proactive monitoring.
Scouting from the Skies
The drone squad comprises two trained forest personnel and is equipped with advanced surveillance drones capable of thermal imaging and high-resolution video capture. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can cover vast stretches of forest fringe areas, including inaccessible terrains, within minutes. Officials confirmed that the drones will primarily be deployed during dusk and dawn—peak hours for elephant movement—to track herds approaching the Aralam settlement boundaries.
“Elephants often move through dense vegetation and are difficult to detect from the ground. Drones give us a bird’s-eye view, allowing us to spot them from over a kilometre away,” said a senior forest officer from the Kannur division. “This not only helps in alerting villagers in advance but also protects the animals from potential retaliation.”
The drone squad will operate from a mobile command centre stationed near the forest edge. Real-time footage is streamed to a monitoring room, where control room staff can instantly relay warnings to local community leaders and rapid response teams. The system is designed to reduce response time from hours to mere minutes, a crucial advantage when a herd of 10 to 15 elephants approaches a village.
Addressing a Growing Crisis
Human-elephant conflict has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Kerala. In the Malabar region, including Kannur and Wayanad, crop loss and property damage have forced farmers to abandon cultivation in some border areas. Between 2020 and 2023, the state recorded over 200 elephant-related fatalities, with many more incidents of livestock loss and structural damage.
The Aralam region is especially vulnerable due to its proximity to both dense forest corridors and agricultural land. Traditional methods—such as solar fencing, watchtowers, and beat patrols—have proved insufficient against determined herds. Drone surveillance offers a non-invasive, scalable solution that does not disturb the animals’ natural behaviour while ensuring human safety.
“The elephants are not the enemy. They are simply following ancient migratory routes that now cut through our villages. Technology can help us coexist,” noted a local environmental activist who welcomed the initiative.
Implementation and Training
The drone squad underwent a three-month training programme conducted by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad. Training covered flight operations, maintenance, data analysis, and emergency protocols—including how to avoid collisions with birds or interference from power lines.
The forest department has also issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure drones are not flown during heavy rain or strong winds, and to prevent accidental disturbance to other wildlife. Two spare batteries and a backup drone have been procured to ensure uninterrupted coverage.
A Model for Other Regions
Forest officials believe the Aralam drone squad could serve as a pilot project for other conflict-prone districts in Kerala, such as Wayanad, Idukki, and Palakkad. If the initiative proves cost-effective and efficient, similar squads may be deployed across the state’s 23 forest divisions. The initial investment, including drones, training, and infrastructure, was funded under the state’s annual wildlife management budget.
Conclusion
The formation of the drone squad at Aralam signals a forward-looking approach to wildlife management in Kerala. By blending technology with traditional conservation practices, the Kannur Forest Division is not only addressing an immediate threat to lives and livelihoods but also setting a sustainable precedent for human-animal coexistence. As the drones take off above the treeline, they carry the hope of a safer, more harmonious future for both people and pachyderms in the region.