Amrita’s Rural Technology Team Expands AI-Based Elephant Detection System to Odisha Villages

The Rural Technology Team at AMMACHI Labs, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, has successfully completed the installation of a new pole-based design of the Amrita Elephant Watch — an AI-enabled elephant detection system — in Gobardhanpur and Tantichira villages, Odisha. The installation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing WADI Project, following the earlier successful deployment in Brahmaniapal village.

This initiative represents Amrita’s continued commitment to harnessing AI, solar energy, and community participation to foster peaceful human–elephant coexistence in rural India.

Addressing Human–Elephant Conflict through Technology

In many parts of rural India, elephant movement through farmlands can result in crop damage, property loss, and danger to both humans and elephants. The Amrita Elephant Watch system utilizes AI-powered cameras to detect elephant presence in real time and sends instant notifications to trained Community Resource Persons (CRPs) in each village.

These alerts enable villagers to take timely, preventive action, ensuring community safety, livelihood protection, and the unhindered movement of elephants along their natural corridors — minimizing conflict and promoting coexistence.

Innovative Pole-Based Design for Remote Villages

The newly introduced pole-based design provides a more stable, reliable, and scalable solution, ideal for remote or challenging terrains. During the installation, villagers were given a live demonstration of the system in action. Trained CRPs were also empowered to manage alerts and maintain the setup locally, ensuring long-term sustainability and community ownership.

Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

This initiative aligns closely with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure: Developing practical, low-cost AI systems for rural challenges.
• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Enhancing safety and resilience in rural areas.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action: Promoting renewable, solar-powered technologies that protect biodiversity
• SDG 15 – Life on Land: Supporting wildlife conservation and ecological balance.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Building strong collaborations among communities, technologists, and policymakers.

Collaboration and Community Spirit

AMMACHI Labs extends sincere gratitude to its dedicated team members, local partners, and the villagers of Gobardhanpur and Tantichira for their active participation and cooperation in making this innovative, sustainable technology a success.

Together, these efforts demonstrate how technology and compassion can work hand in hand to build safer, more harmonious communities for both people and wildlife.