Tamil Nadu uses AI to prevent Elephant deaths, tackle Climate risks

Tamil Nadu has emerged as a national model in using technology and community participation to address human-animal conflict, climate change, and environmental degradation, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a pivotal role in reducing elephant-related incidents , senior state official Supriya Sahu has said.

Additional Chief Secretary (Climate Change and Forests) Supriya Sahu said rapid habitat loss caused by infrastructure projects and agricultural expansion remains the primary driver of human-animal conflict in the state. Tamil Nadu, which has the highest number of notified elephant reserves in the countryfive in totalfaces sustained pressure as elephant corridors intersect with railways, roads, and human settlements.

To address this, the state has deployed AI and machine learning tools in conflict-prone zones. In Madukkarai , a vulnerable stretch known for elephant movement across railway tracks, AI-enabled cameras fitted with thermal sensors have been installed to detect animal presence in real time. Automated alerts are instantly shared with forest teams, local communities, and train drivers, enabling preventive action.

“This intervention has helped us achieve near-zero elephant deaths in Madukkarai,” Sahu said, adding that the project is now being expanded to other regions, including the Nilgiris. Officials believe such technology-driven solutions are critical in balancing conservation needs with development imperatives in a landscape increasingly fragmented by human activity.

Beyond wildlife protection, the state is investing heavily in long-term climate planning . Sahu said Tamil Nadu has set up a dedicated “Climate Studio” to develop decadal climate models, working in collaboration with institutions such as IIT Madras, Anna University, the Gandhi Devadasan Institute, and global think tanks including CEEW, WRI, and ICLEI. The state is also partnering with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on cooling guidelines and scaling up cool roof solutions across urban centres.

Sahu, who recently received the 2025 UNEP Award for her work in environmental governance, highlighted coastal restoration as another major focus area amid rising sea levels and climate-induced disasters. Through the Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (TN-SHORE) project, implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, the state is rolling out large-scale nature-based solutions.

These include planting new mangrove forests, rejuvenating degraded mangroves, and restoring seagrass meadows and coral reefs in the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar. The project also aims to revive islands threatened by submergence, with strong involvement from local fishing and coastal communities to enhance disaster resilience.

Waste management is another area witnessing significant progress. Sahu said the government is intensifying efforts to ensure segregation of household waste at the source to reduce landfill burden. In urban areas, bio-mining of legacy waste has been completed at over 70 to 75 sites. Town and village panchayats are being trained and linked with recyclers to create sustainable waste management ecosystems.

Taken together, Tamil Nadu’s approach combining AI-driven solutions, ecological restoration, and empowerment of local bodies offers a replicable model of cooperative federalism. By aligning state policy, global partnerships, and grassroots participation, the government is positioning itself at the forefront of climate action and sustainable development in India.