Integrated Command Centre launched to address man-animal conflict with tech support

Following increasing incidents of man-animal conflict, the Karnataka Forest Department on Saturday launched an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for better monitoring and management with advanced tech tools.

The ICCC will be the hub in Bengaluru that connects as many as 11 Divisional Command and Control Centre (DCCC) across the State.

The 11 divisions include M.M. Hills, Madikeri, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Mangaluru, and Bannerghatta National Park divisions, besides five tiger reserves of Nagarahole, Bandipur, Bhadra, BRT, and Kali.

At two levels

While the DCCCs study complaints and grievances of conflict at the divisional level and look into deploying a quick reaction force, the ICCC looks into monitoring and evaluation of the work done. The centre will provide alerts and views the developments across divisions from one dashboard and suggest mitigation measures. Public can reach out on the number 1926 on any grievance, crime or conflict-related situation.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre, who inaugurated ICCC at Malleswaram here, said ICCC helped in reducing the response time, while at the same time it used technology for preventive actions.

The command centre will keep an eye on the work done at the ground level, starting with monitoring of patrolling through GPS-based application, keeping watch on sensitive areas or places that are vulnerable to conflict as well monitoring problem elephants which are fitted with radio collars.

Forest area

Mr. Khandre, who held a meeting with officials, said the government would provide the necessary technology. He said Karnataka had 43,000 sq km of forest area and only forest staff could not guard it effectively, which necessitated deployment of technology.