Conservation technology moves closer to Corbett as Ramnagar gets new wildlife hub
The new facility provides frontline forest personnel, researchers, and wildlife professionals with access to crucial surveillance and field technology
A new conservation-focused facility has opened in Ramnagar, serving as a vital hub for wildlife protection near Corbett Tiger Reserve. The initiative aims to improve wildlife surveillance, forest protection, and human-wildlife conflict resolution. Significantly, the facility also champions local communities by offering a space for sustainable product displays, thereby connecting conservation efforts with economic opportunities and responsible tourism.
A new conservation-focused facility has opened in Ramnagar, serving as a vital hub for wildlife protection near Corbett Tiger Reserve. The initiative aims to improve wildlife surveillance, forest protection, and human-wildlife conflict resolution. Significantly, the facility also champions local communities by offering a space for sustainable product displays, thereby connecting conservation efforts with economic opportunities and responsible tourism.
A new conservation-focused facility has opened in Ramnagar, serving as a vital hub for wildlife protection near Corbett Tiger Reserve. The initiative aims to improve wildlife surveillance, forest protection, and human-wildlife conflict resolution. Significantly, the facility also champions local communities by offering a space for sustainable product displays, thereby connecting conservation efforts with economic opportunities and responsible tourism.
Camera traps, drones, AI-enabled monitoring systems and forest-fire response equipment are now available closer to the frontline of wildlife protection, with a new conservation-focused facility opening in Ramnagar, the gateway to Corbett Tiger Reserve.
The facility brings together wildlife surveillance equipment, field technology, communication systems and outdoor gear, providing forest personnel, wildlife professionals, researchers and other users access to equipment used in monitoring and protecting forest landscapes.
Among the technologies available are camera traps, GSM-based surveillance systems, drones, AI-enabled monitoring solutions, communication equipment and forest-fire response systems. The facility also includes equipment aimed at helping address human-wildlife conflict.
The development comes as technology becomes an increasingly important component of forest protection. Camera traps and remote surveillance systems are being used to track wildlife movement, monitor sensitive areas and gather information from difficult-to-access locations. Drones and communication systems are also increasingly being used for surveillance, patrolling and emergency response.
The choice of Ramnagar is significant. Located at the entry point to Corbett Tiger Reserve, the town is frequented by tourists, safari operators, guides, naturalists, researchers and forest personnel and serves as an important interface between the reserve and the surrounding communities.
The facility will also provide a platform for self-help groups, women entrepreneurs, tribal artisans and other local producers to display sustainable and forest-inspired products.
For communities living around protected areas, conservation and livelihoods are closely linked. Local enterprises connected to responsible tourism can create additional economic opportunities while strengthening community participation in the wider conservation ecosystem.
"Ramnagar is a special location for us because it brings together India's wildlife, tourism and conservation communities. Through the Vanrakshak Store, we want to create a space where a forest professional, a safari visitor, a trekker or a wildlife enthusiast can all find the right products and also understand the larger conservation story," said Sumit Sabharwal, founder of Vanrakshak.
The facility has been established by Vanrakshak, the conservation brand of A&S Creations, which has worked with forest departments and other stakeholders on wildlife conservation, forest protection and field operations.
The Ramnagar centre is envisaged as part of a wider network of similar conservation-focused facilities around tiger reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other wildlife destinations.
The broader objective is to make field technology and conservation equipment more accessible in areas where wildlife protection, tourism and local communities intersect.