Tamil Nadu, 12th March 2026: In 2025, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and NTT DATA, a leading provider of digital business and IT services, launched the Hostile Activity Watch Kernel (HAWK) system, a major technology-driven initiative to
strengthen wildlife crime prevention and enforcement across the state.

The platform enables structured, digital tracking of incidents and enforcement action across Tamil Nadu. It operates through two dedicated modules. The SHIKRA module is used for recording wildlife mortality incidents across the state, while the PEREGRINE module serves as the core offence system, tracking crime-related data from initial incident reports through investigation and prosecution to final court judgments. To support statewide adoption, specialised, circle-wise training programmes are being conducted for frontline forest personnel and officers on both modules. These hands-on sessions are designed to help field teams use the system effectively for detection, reporting, documentation, and legal follow-up of forest and wildlife offences.

Training session at Satyamangalam Tiger Reserve | Photo © Team WTI

Following the successful implementation of the Wildlife Mortality Module (Shikra), we successfully customised the Wildlife Offence Module (Peregrine) to manage forest and wildlife offence cases across Tamil Nadu (Dindigul, Kodaikanal Division and Karur, Coimbatore, Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Chennai, Villupuram, STR, Salem, Vellore, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Dharmapuri, Trichy and Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve). These sessions primarily targeted uniformed frontline staff, who play a crucial role in wildlife protection and conservation activities.

A total of 623 frontline forest personnel were successfully trained on the HAWK modules across the state | Photo © Team WTI

The training was led by Vidhya Chandran, IFS, Additional Director of Tamil Nadu Forest Academy, Coimbatore, and the Nodal Officer for the HAWK program. Coordination of the training activities was supported by Manoj Kumar, Range Forest Officer.

During the sessions, Smt. Vidhya Chandran, IFS, provided detailed guidance on the forest code and case management procedures that staff must follow while registering cases. Sethu Gopinathan from the Wildlife Trust of India conducted hands-on training, enabling participants to effectively use the system for digital case recording, monitoring, and reporting.

Through this statewide initiative, 623 frontline forest personnel were successfully trained. The programme significantly enhances the Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s capacity in wildlife law enforcement, digital case management, and coordinated conservation efforts across the state.