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Human activities and their urban expansion are increasingly intruding upon wildlife habitats. This has forced animals into dangerous proximity with human infrastructure, resulting in a tragic surge of accidental deaths among animal populations. The situation is no different in Tamil Nadu, which has been grappling with the issue of <keyword id="21240191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elephant-deaths" source="keywords">elephant deaths</keyword> on and near its railway tracks. The southern state has recorded at least 36 fatalities from train collisions over the past decade. In response to this pressing issue, the state's high court mandated collaborative efforts between the forest department and railways to curb these incidents. To address this issue, Tamil Nadu has now sought help from the phenomenon that promises to change the world as we know it: <keyword id="19904566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="keywords">artificial intelligence</keyword> (<keyword id="6355999" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="AI" source="Orion">AI</keyword>). Installing 12 towers equipped with advanced <keyword id="7885611" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-cameras" source="Orion">AI cameras</keyword> along two key rail tracks near Madukkarai, the state forest department aims to detect and prevent elephant-train collisions, particularly along routes intersecting the elephants' migratory paths. Each tower is outfitted with AI cameras capable of thermal and visible light imaging, comparable to those deployed by the Indian Army along the nation's borders. These cameras are programmed to detect elephants and humans near railway lines. When elephants are spotted within 100 feet of the tracks, alerts are swiftly relayed to forest and railway authorities, enabling them to mitigate risks by slowing down trains and guiding the animals away from harm's way. The project has been executed at a cost of ₹7.2 crore since its launch in February this year, Supriya Sahu, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, told the BBC. But the AI-based surveillance system has proved its worth by demonstrating promising results, detecting nearly 400 instances of elephants approaching railway tracks and facilitating timely interventions to prevent potential accidents. This proactive approach marks a significant improvement over traditional methods, such as regular patrols by forest personnel, which often proved inadequate in ensuring elephant safety. Encouraged by the success of this initiative, Tamil Nadu plans to expand the AI-based system to five additional vulnerable areas across the state, including Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Hosur and Gudalur. This strategic expansion underscores the state's commitment to safeguarding wildlife and mitigating <keyword id="20694291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="human-wildlife-conflicts" source="keywords">human-wildlife conflicts</keyword> through innovative technological solutions. Moreover, Tamil Nadu's adoption of AI technology reflects a broader trend in India, where initiatives like the Gajraj project — spearheaded by the federal railway ministry — aim to protect wildlife in elephant corridors across multiple states. By leveraging AI-based surveillance systems to monitor animal movements near railway tracks, these initiatives strive to prevent accidents and foster better coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Tamil Nadu is using army-grade AI surveillance to prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks, and it’s working!

Guwahati (Assam) [India], November 28 (ANI): To attain a better understanding of <keyword id="2966017" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="forest-ecology" source="Orion">forest ecology</keyword> in the urban landscape, Aaranyak organised an event titled Nature's Wonderland - A journey of curiosity, supported by Wipro Foundation and LEA Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd. (LASA), focusing on forest biodiversity at the RReserve Forest, Kamrup District. Ten students of Rani High School participated in the journey accompanied by their faculty, Prarthana Mudoi and Kakali Buragohain organised on Sunday. "Deforestation, the urban heat island (UHI) effect, freshwater scarcity, pollution, flash floods and climate change are the pertinent issues clouding the metropolis," Aaranyak stated in a press statement. With cities becoming the locus of economy, trade, and logistics, landscapes around the world are changing due to rapid urbanisation. Cities are swelling with population influx in search of education, employment, lifestyle, and health care at the cost of natural resources like land, air, forests, rivers, streams, wetlands, croplands, etc. Aaranyaks Biologist, Jigyas Boruah briefed the participants about the art and science of birdwatching, and the use and adjustment of binoculars to take pleasure in birdwatching. Baruah described the ecology and habitat characteristics of the birds, Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus speciosus), Bronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus), Black-hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), Black-crested Bulbul (Rubigula flaviventris), spotted by the students while trailing in the Reserve Forest. Amid the environmental challenges, Guwahati, the bowl-shaped city dotted by green-covered hills, is thriving due to the presence of forest in the city as well as in the periphery of the city. "These forests provide multiple environmental services like heat mitigation, air and noise pollution reduction, groundwater recharge as well as other nature-based solutions, and socio-economic and psychological benefits," Aaranyak further said. Aaranyaks environmentalist Tanvi Hussain gave the participants an insight into the satellite-based navigation device, GPS and the process of trilateration for determining the geo-location of a place widely used in all modern gadgets. The nature enthusiasts relieved their uphill climb tiredness meditating to the trickling music of the Kopili stream. While Aaranyaks Wasima Begum carried out a biodiversity understanding and story-telling session Leaves Museum by the fallen leaves collected by the students on the trail. A group of students arranged the collected leaves as a flower to outline the variety and variability of flora and fauna. Another group arranged the leaves to depict Lord Ganesha to outline the shrinking of wild habitats emphasizing Human-Elephant coexistence. The activity threw light on the enthusiasm and awareness of the <keyword id="4550079" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GenZ" source="Orion">GenZ</keyword> on environmental issues and biodiversity conservation. The coordination and conduction of the journey were shouldered by Aaranyaks Pranab Goswami and Wasima Begum facilitated by Bijay Kalita and Bikash Goyari. (ANI)

GenZ expresses their concern over shrinking wildlife habitat

<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> and Maldives have signed an agreement to introduce the <keyword id="19998949" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Unified-Payments-Interface" source="keywords">Unified Payments Interface</keyword> in the archipelago nation, which will have a "very positive" impact on its <keyword id="20260982" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourism-sector" source="keywords">tourism sector</keyword>, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Friday during Jaishankar's three-day official visit to the Maldives. "Witnessed signing of MoU between (the) National Payments Corporation of India and (the) Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Maldives on (the) introduction of (a) digital payment system in the Maldives," he said in a post on X. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (<keyword id="19998946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NPCI" source="keywords">NPCI</keyword>), Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is an instant real-time payment system to facilitate inter-bank transactions through mobile phones. Addressing a press conference with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer after their "productive discussions", Jaishankar said that India, through its UPI, has "revolutionised digital transactions". Stressing that it has taken financial inclusion in India to new levels, he said "Today 40 per cent of the world's real-time digital payments take place in our country." "We see this revolution, every day in our lives. I am pleased to note that with the signing of the MoU today, we have taken the first step towards bringing this digital innovation to Maldives," he said. "I wish the very best to stakeholders on both sides and hope that we will soon see the first UPI transaction here. I should mention that it will have a very positive impact on tourism," he added. Tourism is the main source of economic activity for the Maldives, contributing nearly 30 per cent of the GDP and generating more than 60 per cent of foreign exchange. Jaishankar's visit aims to reset the bilateral relationship with the Maldives and is the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nation's pro-China president, Mohamed Muizzu, assumed office last year. "India's partnership with the Maldives is based on our deep desire to work together for each other's welfare and interests. It is a partnership that has enabled us to always swiftly and effectively respond to challenges, as witnessed in the past," Jaishankar said. "It is a partnership that has enabled us to deliver results and bring tangible benefits to our people in accordance with their wishes, aspirations and priorities," he said. In a post on X, Jaishankar also said, "Jointly inaugurated six High Impact Projects in areas of street lighting, mental health, children speech therapy and special education." "Welcome renewal of MoU between National Centre for Good Governance and Civil Services Commission on (the) training of additional 1,000 civil services officers," he added. Addressing the joint press conference, Maldivian Foreign Minister Zameer said, "India has always been one of our closest friends and a vital development partner." He said the "enduring friendship" was built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect and has continued to flourish over the years. "High-level exchanges between our countries have deepened our dialogue and cooperation in areas of shared interest. We remain dedicated to strengthening and advancing this mutually beneficial partnership," he said. "Minister Dr Jaishankar and I agreed that much more needs to be done to promote trade and investment between the Maldives and India," he said, adding that both sides are committed to establishing "effective mechanisms to enhance economic cooperation, fostering a vibrant and prosperous partnership that will benefit both the nations." Zameer said he conveyed President Muizzu's proposal to begin negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the Maldives and India. "This agreement alongside other economic and trade-related agreements will facilitate trade liberalisation and ease the risks of doing business in both our countries," he said. Zameer said that India and Maldives have also mutually agreed to further strengthen their partnership by continuing joint exercises and expanding training opportunities for officers from both countries, asserting that this reflects "our commitment to working together to ensure the security of our nations as well as ensuring the safety and stability of the Indian Ocean region." India's relations with the Maldives suffered a major setback last year when President Muizzu demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms in the Maldives. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians by May 10, the mutually agreed date. "On regional and multilateral issues of importance, our countries have a common understanding and are united in our efforts to resolve them. We agreed to continue our cooperation on issues ranging from combating terrorism, violent extremism, drugs, human trafficking and to the promotion and protection of human rights," Zameer said. In his press statement, Jaishankar said that India and the Maldives "are not just close neighbours, we are also natural partners." "Today, we are mutually invested in each other's development and progress. In a globalised and interconnected world, we see a lot of volatility and global tensions. Even as the world is recovering from the impact of the COVID pandemic, we have been confronted with new challenges arising from international conflicts," he said. In this tumultuous environment, India has been and will be, an anchor of stability for its friends, partners and neighbours. To the Maldives specifically, India has provided support to deal with economic challenges through financial assistance and budgetary support, and by ensuring an uninterrupted supply of critical items, he noted. India's actions have been and will continue to be guided by its firm commitment to the philosophy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabke Vikas - which is- Together, we prosper', Jaishankar said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/brainbees-solutions-firstcry-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/112403576.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/brainbees-solutions-firstcry-ipo-allotment-how-to-check-allotment-ipo-gmp-listing-date-and-more/articleshow/112403576.cms" target="_blank">Brainbees Solutions (Firstcry) IPO allotment – How to check allotment, IPO GMP, listing date and more</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indias-wearables-market-decline-for-the-first-time-as-smartwatch-shipments-fall/articleshow/112397246.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indias-wearables-market-decline-for-the-first-time-as-smartwatch-shipments-fall/articleshow/112397246.cms" target="_blank">India’s wearables market decline for the first time as smartwatch shipments fall</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ola-wants-to-re-enter-the-quick-commerce-business-to-take-on-blinkit-and-swiggy-instamart/articleshow/112364583.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ola-wants-to-re-enter-the-quick-commerce-business-to-take-on-blinkit-and-swiggy-instamart/articleshow/112364583.cms" target="_blank">Ola wants to re-enter the quick commerce business to take on Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart</a>

India to introduce UPI payment service in Maldives

Colombo, <keyword id="6355572" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword> has recorded the <keyword id="10424567" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="highest-annual-elephant-deaths">highest annual elephant deaths</keyword> and second-highest human deaths in the world due to the human-elephant conflict, the island-nation'<keyword id="10424565" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="s-committee-on-public-accounts">s Committee on Public Accounts</keyword> (COPA) reported. In discussions held by the COPA recently, it was revealed that Sri Lanka has been ranked second in reporting the <keyword id="1275003" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="highest-number">highest number</keyword> of human deaths due to the human-elephant conflict in the world, while India holds the first rank, Xinhua news agency reported. COPA Chairman Tissa Vitharana said that even though the average number of elephant deaths due to the human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka is 272 per year, 407 elephants had died during the past year. He also said that although the average number of human deaths due to the human-elephant conflict is 85 per year, 122 people had died during the past year. Vitharana and other members of COPA emphasised the need for <keyword id="10424566" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-wildlife-department">the Wildlife Department</keyword> and other relevant agencies to work together on a more efficient program to resolve the matter. He said that despite 60 years of efforts to resolve the human-elephant conflict, no significant progress had been made and that a new approach was needed to find a solution. The committee pointed out that although 4,211 km of elephant fences had been constructed by 2016 to control the human-elephant conflict across the island country, they had become inactive in a short period of time due to improper maintenance. The committee also said many constructions had to be halted due to protests by the people in some areas who thought that the construction of the fence was a boundary of their land. Killing wild elephants in Sri Lanka is a criminal offence but there have been regular reports of angry villagers poisoning or shooting them. Official records show the population of wild elephants in Sri Lanka is estimated at 7,500. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/dos-and-donts-during-solar-eclipse-surya-grahan/articleshow/76436997.cms">The do’s and don’ts of a Solar Eclipse — here what you need to know to protect yourself</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/solar-eclipse-december-2020-time-date-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/79697355.cms">The total solar eclipse and its 'diamond rings' won't be visible in India on December 14</a>

Elephant deaths hit a historic high in Sri Lanka amid human-elephant conflicts

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russian troops invaded <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword> in the early hours of February 24. </li><li>A series of sweeping global sanctions targeted Russian billionaires, known as oligarchs. </li></ul><keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword> invaded Ukraine on February 24, launching the large-scale and unprovoked attack that had been feared for weeks. Insider has extensively reported on the <keyword id="12593853" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="conflict" source="Orion">conflict</keyword>, from the debunked claims <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-russia-is-attacking-ukraine-putin-justification-for-invasion-2022-2">Russian President Vladimir Putin used to try and justify</a> his decision to invade Ukraine to the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-accuses-russia-war-crimes-attacks-on-civilians-ukraine-2022-3">US accusing Russia of war crimes </a>for "indiscriminate attacks" on civilians and "other atrocities." The crisis has led to <keyword id="11932022" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="small-business" source="Orion">small business</keyword> owners across Ukraine fleeing<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukrainian-business-owners-flee-their-search-for-safety-2022-2"> their homes to seek safety,</a> while Russian oligarchs have been targeted by Western countries' sanctions in a bid to put pressure on Putin. Insider reflects on the implications this has had for citizens in both countries, as well as their businesses.<h2>The human cost</h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-ukrainian-families-flee-their-homes-as-russia-invades-2022-2">Thousands of Ukrainians</a> have escaped to neighboring countries after navigating packed train stations and hours-long traffic jams.Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International's secretary-general, <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/soaring-concern-for-human-rights-and-human-lives-as-russia-invades-ukraine/">said in a statement</a> on the day of attack: "After weeks of escalation, a Russian invasion that is likely to lead to the most horrific consequences for human lives and <keyword id="11941416" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="human-rights" source="Orion">human rights</keyword> has begun."Families took <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kyiv-ukraine-mayor-city-use-subway-bomb-shelter-russia-invasion-2022-1">shelter in subway stations</a>, some fled taking their most precious belongings, including <a href="https://www.insider.com/ukraine-russia-invasion-photos-people-fleeing-with-pets-2022-2">pets, in some cases. Meanwhile, </a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/african-students-ukrainians-first-policy-preventing-them-leaving-war-zone-2022-2">African students fleeing the conflict</a> encountered resistance and were prevented from crossing to Poland due to an apparent "Ukrainians first" policy. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-how-a-transgender-man-escaped-russias-invasion-2022-3">A transgender man escaped</a> Russia's invasion and painted his nails "violet and wore Mom's shirt to look more girly," he told Insider's Bethany Dawson. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-arrests-anti-war-protesters-ukraine-invasion-2022-2">Videos of anti-war protests in Russia</a> taking place in St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and other cities emerged a day after the attack. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-insider-oksana-baulina-died-rocket-strike-kyiv-shopping-center-2022-3">Russian journalist Oksana Baulina</a> died after a rocket strike on a shopping center in Kyiv, while an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-times-reporter-shot-ukrainian-police-say-2022-3">American journalist</a> was shot while covering the conflict. Consequences such as higher <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-russias-invasion-ukraine-means-global-food-supplies-2022-3">foods prices</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-invasion-ukraine-predicted-increase-gas-prices-2022-2">gas prices spikes</a>, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/war-in-ukraine-will-exacerbate-home-price-inflation-2022-3">higher inflation, </a>which is affecting interest rates on mortgages and credit cards, are other global consequences resulting from the conflict. Citizens previously told Insider they would not hesitate to take up arms. Taras Ivanyshyn, the owner of a construction <keyword id="6355515" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="business" source="Orion">business</keyword> in a town near Kyiv, said that his family were armed with rifles for self-defense purposes. <h2>Isolating Russia</h2><h3>Corporations pull out</h3>Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia in a bid to stop Putin's war. The sanctions have forced businesses to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/list-all-the-companies-pulling-out-of-russia-ukraine-war-2022-3#1-the-este-lauder-companies-1">pull out operations</a> from Russia, including airlines, retailers, and tech giants. Companies like H&amp;M Group, Adidas, ExxonMobil, Spotify, and Apple have all suspended operations in the country. In some cases, like McDonald's, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-franchisee-owned-restaurants-remain-open-in-russia-2022-3">the company announced it was suspending</a> its operations there, but legal agreements make it hard for the company to enforce closures at franchise stores.Another significant sanction was the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/european-union-ban-russian-flights-airspace-fresh-sanctions-report-2022-2">closure of airspace to Russian flights</a>, to which Putin responded with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/map-shows-countries-that-closed-airspace-russia-over-ukraine-war-2022-3">retaliatory action</a>. The move has prolonged flight times for several destinations, such as British Airways, adding one hour of flight time to the India to London route, while <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-suspending-partnership-with-russian-carrier-aeroflot-over-ukraine-2022-2">Aeroflot</a> added three hours from Serbia to Moscow.<h3>Sanctioning oligarchs</h3>Russia's richest men, known as oligarchs, have been targeted by Western sanctions. Authorities have sanctioned some of the wealthiest oligarchs including <a href="https://www.insider.com/slideshow-russian-oligarchs-in-soccer-affected-by-sanctions-2022-3">Roman Abramovich</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alexei-mordashov-russia-richest-man-property-seized-italy-oligarch-2022-3">Alexei Mordashov</a>, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sanction-russian-oligarch-alisher-usmanov-ownership-assets-mansions-trust-transfer-2022-3">Alisher Usmanov</a>. <a href="https://www.insider.com/report-barclays-freezes-chelsea-fc-bank-account-2022-3">Abramovich is the owner of Chelsea FC</a> and owns two superyachts worth more than $1 billion combined. Mordashov is thought to be Russia's third-richest person, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/alexey-a-mordashov/?sref=lAVQtUwz">according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index</a>. Usmanov reportedly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sanction-russian-oligarch-alisher-usmanov-ownership-assets-mansions-trust-transfer-2022-3">transferred his assets to trusts</a> before sanctions hit him, and doesn't own them any more. The UK government said on March 3 that Usmanov owns mansions worth tens of millions of dollars in the country.Per Daniel Treisman, a professor of political science at the University of California, Russian oligarchs have been targeted by sanctions but other influential individuals are also of concern.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-oligarchs-sanctions-security-elite-ukraine-2022-3">The country's elite security figures</a> "are called the siloviki," so he coined the term silovarch to refer to these oligarchs who were siloviki. "Since then, they have become more and more dominant in Russian big business."Meanwhile, some of the world's most expensive superyachts hang in the balance. While the Russian oligarchs are still technically responsible for the yachts, if European authorities do not take responsibility for the yachts' care they will quickly waste away.

Sanctioned oligarchs, families fleeing, small business owners taking up arms &mdash; a month on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, here's a look at what has happened so far

You Searched For "human wildlife conflict in India" and got 5 results

Tamil Nadu is using army-grade AI surveillance to prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks, and it’s working!

Kunal Kambli

GenZ expresses their concern over shrinking wildlife habitat

ANI

India to introduce UPI payment service in Maldives

PTI

Elephant deaths hit a historic high in Sri Lanka amid human-elephant conflicts

IANS

Sanctioned oligarchs, families fleeing, small business owners taking up arms a month on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, here's a look at what has happened so far

Sam Tabahriti

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