Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh: In an event held on 24th Feb at Mustafabad Tourism Centre of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, a thermal drone was provided to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve by the M3M Foundation under the VanJeevan Program.
VanJeevan is a collaborative effort of the M3M Foundation, YFLO Delhi Chapter, with an aim to prevent human-wildlife conflict. Thermal drone will support the collection of data from inaccessible landscape, measure waterbody levels and help in creation of maps that will enhance biodiversity documentation.
The thermal imaging capabilities of the drone will enable the forest field staff to detect signs of ground fires early, enhance rescue and wildlife tracking capability, reduce forest offences, and ensure the safety of forest field staff and the local community.
During the event, Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee and President, M3M Foundation, not only provided drone but also donated 275 forest-life kits containing bags, t-shirts, lowers, caps, raincoats and water bottles for the Baghmitra and watchtower guards of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.
Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson YFLO Delhi Chapter, while talking about the wildlife program, said, “We stand strongly for biodiversity and protection of wildlife and mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Earlier, we had installed solar lights on watchtowers and posts in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and now going a step further, thermal drone is also being provided. In the future, we will continue to contribute to the conservation of wildlife in collaboration with the department.”
Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee and President of M3M Foundation, while talking about the importance of thermal drones, said “This thermal drone worth lakhs of rupees is capable of keeping an eye on every nook and corner of the forest. This will definitely help the Tiger Reserve in ensuring the safety of wild animals.”
On behalf of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Deputy Director Manish Singh thanked M3M Foundation for it’s initiatives and said “These efforts are certainly commendable. The solar lights installed by M3M Foundation have shown a significant reduction in the attacks on the guards of the Watchtower by wildlife. The usefulness of thermal drones in the extreme conditions of the forest is axiomatic.
Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Mandeep, Ashish Mehra, Ashish from M3M Foundation and Deputy Director Shri Manish Singh, Baghmitra and other members from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve were present at the event.
