Pilibhit, 27th January 2025:In a significant step toward the mitigation of conflict between humans and wildlife in the Terai region, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has introduced the Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System (ANIDERS) in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. This initiative aims to address the challenges posed by human-wildlife interactions, particularly involving flagship species such as tigers and leopards.

In 2024 alone, Pilibhit’s Social Forestry Division recorded 26 big cat-related conflict cases—18 involving tigers and 8 linked to leopards. WTI’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), a specialised group handling wildlife emergencies and human-wildlife conflict situations, actively managed all these incidents, closely monitoring high-conflict zones. The villages of Mandaria and Dhankuni emerged as conflict hotspots due to frequent sightings of tigers and leopards, exacerbated by the extensive sugarcane farmlands that provide ideal cover for these predators.

Sugarcane fields, especially during the harvesting season, serve as prime corridors for big cats, increasing the likelihood of encounters with humans and livestock. These incidents have resulted in cattle depredation and human injuries, causing significant distress among local communities. Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, introduced a groundbreaking solution: the Animal Intrusion Detection and Repellent System (ANIDERS).

ANIDERS devices have been strategically installed in sets of five at Mandaria and Dhankuni | Photo by Team WTI

ANIDERS is a solar-powered, eco-friendly system designed to detect and deter wildlife from entering human habitations. It utilises a combination of loud sounds and intense lights to startle big cats, effectively reducing the chances of conflict.

Mr. Manish Singh, DFO of the PTR Division, highlighted the significance of this initiative, mentioning that with the support of WTI, 10 ANIDERS have been installed in Mandaria and Dhankuni villages, where tigers have been frequently sighted. He expressed hope that this measure will help reduce the ongoing conflict in the region. The installation was executed by Kyari Innovation Pvt Ltd, a Delhi-based company, under the guidance of Engineer Pradeep Singh.

Mr. Bharat Kumar DK, DFO of the Pilibhit Social Forestry Division, emphasised the dual impact of the growing tiger population. He noted that the increase in tiger numbers in Pilibhit is a result of effective wildlife management and strict law enforcement, which benefits both tourism and nature. However, this has led to more frequent conflicts with communities living near forest areas. ANIDERS is expected to alert locals about the presence of wildlife, thereby helping to prevent such incidents.

WTI and Forest Department are taking measures to mitigate human-big cat conflict in this area | Photo by Team WTI

Dr. Abhishek Ghosal, Division Head of the Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Mitigation Division at WTI, highlighted that early detection and deterrence of wild carnivores around human habitations are fundamental preventive measures for managing human-carnivore conflicts. In conjunction with camera traps, ANIDERS will help detect and deter big cats before they enter human habitations. Regularly changing the location of ANIDERS is crucial to prevent tigers and leopards from becoming habituated to the light and sound. Dr. Ghosal also expressed gratitude to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Chester Zoo for their long-standing support.

Dr. Dibyadeep Chatterjee, Project Head of WTI Pilibhit, emphasised that this initiative represents a critical step toward creating safer spaces for both local communities and wildlife. He expressed optimism about the potential of ANIDERS to reduce conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence.

The launch event brought together an enthusiastic and collaborative team. WTI’s Field Officers Archit Mishra, Debkanta Kabiraj, Jyoti Antil, Arun Kumar, and Program Officers Divya Mehra and Sadhika Sehgal actively participated in the initiative, alongside Assistant Rustam Rana. Representatives from the Forest Department, including Range Officer Vineet Srivastava, Deputy Ranger Sher Singh, Forest Guard Soni Singh, and Watcher Rama Avtar, extended their expertise and support. Community leaders, Gram Pradhans Ramesh Kumar (Madaria) and Prameshwari Dayal (Dhankuni), also joined the efforts, reflecting strong engagement from the local community.