The Chandaka forest surveillance system is helping forest teams keep a close watch on the wildlife and forest areas around the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha. Watchtowers positioned at strategic locations provide a broad, 360-degree view, allowing personnel to observe developments across the forest.
The surveillance is particularly important for responding to situations such as forest fires and the movement of elephants and other wild animals. From elevated observation points, teams can monitor the forest and identify potential problems that may require timely action.
Watchtowers Strengthen Chandaka Forest Surveillance
Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the northwestern fringe of Bhubaneswar and covers about 193.39 square kilometres. According to the Odisha Wildlife Organisation, the sanctuary was primarily established to protect wild elephants and their habitat.
The forest division has several watchtowers at strategic locations. The official Odisha wildlife portal lists watchtowers as facilities that provide opportunities to observe the forest and its wildlife.
The current surveillance approach also gives forest personnel an elevated vantage point from which they can observe large sections of the forest. This can be useful when visibility from ground level is limited by dense vegetation or difficult terrain.
Monitoring Elephants and Other Wildlife
Elephant movement remains an important part of wildlife monitoring in the Chandaka area. The sanctuary was designated with a particular focus on conserving elephants and their habitat, while forest officials are also responsible for elephant tracking and wildlife protection.
Monitoring becomes especially significant when elephants move close to human settlements around the forest. In such situations, information about animal movement can help forest personnel respond and take appropriate precautionary measures.
Recent reporting has also highlighted the need for increased monitoring of elephants in and around Chandaka when animals move into areas closer to Bhubaneswar.
Watchtowers Can Help Detect Forest Fires
Forest fire monitoring is another important responsibility in the Chandaka landscape. The Chandaka Wildlife Division’s stated responsibilities include checking forest fires and protecting the forest and wildlife.
An elevated observation point can provide personnel with a wider field of view for spotting smoke or signs of fire. Early identification is important because a fire detected at an early stage can be reported and addressed before it spreads across a larger area.
Earlier reports from Chandaka have also documented the use of watchtowers and personnel to monitor the forest during periods of increased fire risk.
Technology Adds Another Layer of Wildlife Monitoring
The use of watchtowers forms part of a wider effort to strengthen wildlife surveillance in Odisha. In 2024, the state government announced plans for AI-integrated camera towers in several wildlife divisions, including Chandaka, to monitor wildlife movement and human intrusion.
The proposed technology included thermal cameras and automated surveillance systems designed to provide real-time information on wildlife movement. The initiative was also intended to help authorities respond to potential human-wildlife conflict.
This combination of human observation and technology could provide forest teams with multiple ways to monitor sensitive forest areas.
For Chandaka, where wildlife conservation takes place close to an expanding urban environment, continuous observation remains important. Chandaka forest surveillance through watchtowers can support the broader effort to protect the forest, monitor elephants and other wildlife, and identify threats such as forest fires at an early stage.
