An 18-year-old student from Jharkhand has successfully designed a cost-effective artificial intelligence device aimed at reducing conflicts between humans and elephants. The state Forest Department is currently testing this innovative technology at the Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR).

Avi Mohan Kumar Shukla, who has recently completed his Class 12 board examinations from a school in Ranchi, created ‘Innobox,’ a solar-powered device meant to identify and deter elephants and other wildlife from intruding upon agricultural land and villages. Should the ongoing tests yield positive results, the Forest Department plans to introduce it as a pilot initiative in Ranchi district by August.

From Crop Damage to Technological Solution

The concept for the device originated during Avi’s involvement in the ‘Young Change Maker’ programme at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi while he was in Class 11. A visit to Rasabeda village in Ranchi exposed him to the challenges faced by farmers whose crops were being damaged by elephants. This poignant experience motivated him to create a device that would alert local residents to animal movements and help prevent potential conflicts.

After developing an initial version of the Innobox, Avi deployed it in the village, which he claims benefited around 35 families. The positive feedback from this trial spurred him on to construct a more advanced model to address the ongoing issue.

Functionality of the Innobox

The Innobox is described as a solar-powered AI wildlife deterrent that employs seismic sensors, radar, and an AI camera to detect and deter elephants and other wild animals. Avi reported that the device boasts a detection accuracy of over 80 to 85 per cent for various species.

Many traditional animal repellers rely on motion sensors to activate alarms upon detecting any movement, often resulting in false alerts and rapid battery depletion. In contrast, the Innobox activates notifications solely when large animals, such as elephants, are detected. Its solar-powered design makes it particularly advantageous for regions facing electricity and network limitations.

Ravi Ranjan, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Jharkhand, noted that the Forest Department has allocated Rs 1 lakh to assist in the development of ten AI-based devices after assessing Avi’s innovative project. The current testing phase at PTR aims to facilitate further improvements and adaptations.

Forest Department’s Commitment to Local Innovations

If the trial proves successful, the Forest Department intends to distribute these affordable devices throughout the state, recognising their potential impact in significantly mitigating human-elephant conflicts. According to a government report, 474 fatalities have occurred as a result of elephant-related incidents in Jharkhand since the 2019-20 financial year.

The Forest Department is also implementing a comprehensive three-layer strategy that includes thermal cameras, infrared cameras, and AI-based technologies like Avi’s device to strengthen early warning mechanisms against human-wildlife clashes.

Avi’s project has garnered support from Emergent Ventures in the USA and IIM Ranchi, leading to its recognition by Startups Jharkhand. Following this achievement, Avi plans to take a one-year hiatus from his studies to prepare for the entrance examination for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

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