The West Bengal government has initiated a targeted programme to deploy advanced CCTV and communication systems across the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, a sprawling mangrove region grappling with conservation challenges and difficult terrain. This tech-driven upgrade aims to improve wildlife protection, anti-poaching vigilance and staff coordination, reinforcing broader efforts to safeguard biodiversity while enhancing sustainable ecosystem management. The Sundarbans — a globally significant UNESCO Biosphere Reserve straddling India and Bangladesh — is not only home to the iconic Royal Bengal tiger but also serves as a natural barrier against coastal hazards and a critical carbon sink. However, dense mangroves, tidal rivers and limited connectivity complicate routine monitoring for forest officials. To address these constraints, the state’s latest plan focuses on high-definition closed-circuit cameras and upgraded wireless communication tools at key camps and ranges throughout the reserve. Â
According to senior forest officials, CCTV units will be installed at strategic locations, especially in sensitive and remote zones where physical patrolling is constrained by terrain. These cameras are expected to enable real-time observation of wildlife movement and intrusions, while acting as a deterrent against illegal activities such as poaching and unauthorised entry. This measure aligns with other Indian reserves that have introduced smart and thermal imaging systems to track animal movement and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Forest teams will also receive new walkie-talkie sets to bolster communication across dispersed outposts, addressing a perennial challenge in the mangrove matrix where conventional networks are weak. Reliable communication enhances coordination during surveillance, emergency responses and field operations — particularly important in an ecosystem susceptible to climatic extremes and tidal surges.
Beyond surveillance and communication tools, the initiative includes basic infrastructure upgrades such as steel storage units and repair of watch towers used for observation duties. These improvements can contribute to safer and more efficient deployment of personnel, especially in zones where field staff operate under arduous conditions. For local communities living adjacent to the forest, these investments have indirect implications. Enhanced monitoring can reduce illegal resource extraction pressures that sometimes drive conflict, while more stable wildlife populations may support eco-tourism opportunities that diversify rural livelihoods. Conservation experts note that technology must be integrated with community engagement and climate-resilient planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
Economically, improved surveillance infrastructure can attract research, eco-tourism and conservation funding, fostering jobs and regenerative enterprises in the region. But practitioners caution that technology alone isn’t a panacea; it must be coupled with robust environmental governance and inclusive policies that support both biodiversity and human well-being. As these upgrades roll out, the state’s ability to maintain, operate and integrate data from surveillance systems will be critical. Future developments could include AI-enabled analytics and remote sensing tools to further strengthen conservation outcomes and climate adaptation strategies in this unique coastal landscape.
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