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MP Forest Department Rescues Tiger PN 103 Using AI and DNA

Source:indianmasterminds ↗

Why It Matters

Highlighting the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and forensic DNA profiling in wildlife management, this case is crucial for MPPSC Prelims as it pertains to Madhya Pradesh's environment, focusing on human-wildlife conflict resolution in Seoni, Pench Tiger Reserve, and Van Vihar National Park.

Summary

The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department successfully rescued an aging, conflict-prone tiger (PN-103) in the Seoni district using an innovative blend of artificial intelligence and DNA profiling. By deploying the AI-powered 'e-Aheria' camera system and conducting forensic analysis with the Wildlife Institute of India, the team accurately tracked and identified the tiger. Following a coordinated operation with trained elephants and strike forces, the tiger was safely tranquilized and relocated to Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal for its remaining years. This operation marks a significant advancement in leveraging technology for humane wildlife conservation and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.

Key Points

  • An aging 13-year-old male tiger, PN-103, caused significant human-wildlife conflict by frequenting residential areas in Seoni district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department utilized "e-Aheria," an AI-powered platform with 600 trap cameras, for real-time tracking, ensuring the correct tiger was identified before capture.
  • DNA profiling from scat and hair was analyzed by the Wildlife Institute of India to definitively match the tiger to recent attacks.
  • A coordinated rescue operation involving trained elephants, dog squads, and the State Tiger Strike Force successfully captured PN-103 without injury.
  • The tiger was relocated to Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, demonstrating the use of modern technology to safely resolve human-tiger conflict and ensure the animal's welfare.

Prelims Trap

Van Vihar National Park functions as a strictly in-situ wilderness reserve for tigers.

Despite its legal designation as a National Park, Van Vihar is uniquely managed as a modern zoological park and ex-situ rescue center under the Central Zoo Authority.

Static Concepts Connected

Environment & Ecology

What are the key technological tools used for tiger monitoring in India?

  • M-STrIPES: A software-based monitoring system launched by NTCA utilizing GPS to track patrol routes, map wildlife crimes, and evaluate ecological status.
  • e-Aheria Platform: An AI-powered camera trap network deployed to monitor tiger movements in real-time and ensure accurate identification during conflict scenarios.
  • DNA Fingerprinting: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) utilizes non-invasive samples like scat and hair to map short tandem repeats and create individual genetic profiles.
Environment & Ecology

How does in-situ conservation differ from ex-situ conservation?

  • In-situ Conservation: Protecting endangered species within their natural habitats. Examples include traditional National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Tiger Reserves like Pench.
  • Ex-situ Conservation: Conserving species outside their natural environments. Examples include Zoological Parks, Botanical Gardens, and Cryopreservation/Seed Banks.
  • Hybrid Management: Some areas blur lines; for instance, Van Vihar holds National Park status legally but operates fundamentally as an ex-situ rescue and rehabilitation center.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • AI and DNA Forensics in Conservation

    UPSC increasingly links emerging tech (AI, DNA short tandem repeats) to biodiversity. Systems like e-Aheria and non-invasive genetic profiling merge the Sci-Tech syllabus with Environmental conservation.

  • Carrying Capacity & Human-Wildlife Conflict

    As tiger reserves reach their carrying capacity, aging or subordinate tigers are pushed into human-dominated buffer zones. This spatial displacement is a root cause of human-wildlife conflict requiring NTCA intervention.

Expect a multi-statement prelims question contrasting tiger monitoring technologies (M-STrIPES, e-Aheria) and Van Vihar's ex-situ status.

Linked PYQs · 3

Linked PYQs · 3

  • 2024MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The south-eastern part of Madhya Pradesh receives maximum rainfall from :

  • 2022MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which of the following National Parks is the first in India to officially introduce a mascot named "Bhoorsingh the Barasingha"?

  • 2021MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Corbett Tiger Reserve is located in which Indian State?