Satellite Remote Sensing data helps in wildlife management
Traces elephant movements in North Bengal
According to a recent study, the
satellite remote sensing data can be of great help in quick assessment and real
time monitoring of existing resources and wildlife habitat management. Two
scientists, Dr. S. Sudhakar and Dr. K. Rajesh from the Regional Remote Sensing
Service Centre, Kharagpur and Mr. A. K. Raha of wildlife division, State Forest
Department, West Bengal submitted a study paper at an international workshop on
“Image and Shape Analysis” at Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta. The
scientists have used the satellite data to trace the elephant movement in North
Bengal that has become a big worry to forest officials in view of widespread
depredation by marauding elephants in this region every year. Three major
elephant routes could be identified by the study team – West of Teesta river,
between Teesta and Torsa rivers and East of Torsa river, with the route between
Teesta and Torsa considered as ‘high conflict zone’. The study also traced five
other elephant corridors cutting across the international border, involving
India, Nepal and Bhutan – Nepal-Panighata, Jiti-Bhutan, Bhutanghat (India) –
Bhutan and Sankosh (Assam) – Bhutan
