Madhya Pradesh’s Gaj Rakshak App

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is not only famous for its tigers but has also become home to a growing population of elephants. With this increase, human-elephant conflicts have emerged as a serious challenge.

To address this, authorities have launched the Gaj Rakshak App, a cutting-edge tool designed for real-time elephant monitoring in Madhya Pradesh. This Gaj Rakshak App is revolutionizing how forest officials, villagers, and wildlife enthusiasts manage and protect elephants while ensuring human safety.

Why the Gaj Rakshak App Was Launched

The rising number of elephants in the Bandhavgarh region has led to increased encounters between humans and wildlife. These conflicts often result in crop damage, property loss, and injuries. The Gaj Rakshak App was developed as a human-elephant conflict app solution that uses technology to predict and prevent such incidents.

Developed in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Wildlife Conservation Trust, and Kalpvag Company, the Gaj Rakshak App for elephant tracking is a milestone in wildlife conservation technology. It ensures that both elephants and humans coexist safely.

How the Gaj Rakshak App Works

The Gaj Rakshak app is a versatile elephant monitoring tool that enables authorities and villagers to track elephants in real time.

Here’s how it functions:

• Real-Time Tracking: Provides the exact location and movement patterns of elephants, making it a powerful elephant app.

• Alerts and Notifications: Sends timely alerts via SMS, push notifications, voice calls, and sirens if elephants approach villages, acting as an elephant movement alert system for villagers.

• Offline Functionality: Works even in remote areas without internet connectivity.

• Photo Uploads and Herd Monitoring: Elephant monitors can upload photos, update locations, and indicate if elephants are roaming solo or in herds.

• Data Sharing: Information is instantly shared within a 10 km radius, ensuring the safety of nearby communities.

This makes the Gaj Rakshak App a vital part of wildlife conservation technology in tiger reserves, combining innovation with practical use.

Significance for Wildlife Conservation

The Gaj Rakshak App is not only a tool for preventing conflicts but also a wildlife conservation app that aids the long-term monitoring and protection of elephants. Forest officials can now leverage this forest monitoring tool to study elephant behavior, track population growth, and implement preventive measures.

The Gaj Rakshak App also serves as a tiger reserve app model for other reserves, demonstrating how technology can enhance wildlife management. By involving local communities and forest personnel, the app strengthens the overall conservation ecosystem.

Growing Elephant Population in Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh has seen a significant rise in elephant numbers:

• In 2018, a herd of 40 elephants settled permanently in the reserve.

• Today, the population has increased to around 65 elephants.

• Movements are observed across Umaria, Shahdol, and Anuppur districts.

According to DFO Shraddha Pendre, a group of 19 elephants has been living near the Bansagar backwaters in the Byawari region for several months. Bandhavgarh’s dense forests, bamboo resources, hills, and year-round water sources make it an ideal habitat, which explains why elephants prefer this region.

Training and Wider Deployment of the Gaj Rakshak App

To ensure the smooth implementation of the Gaj Rakshak App, forest officials underwent a dedicated training program from September 26–29. This forest department’s Gaj Rakshak App training program ensures that personnel are well-equipped to use the app effectively.

The Gaj Rakshak App deployment is not limited to Bandhavgarh. It is being extended to:

• Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve

• North & South Shahdol divisions

• Anuppur, Sidhi, Singrauli, Satna, Umaria, and Dindori districts

This expansion creates a comprehensive elephant tracking system across Madhya Pradesh, helping prevent human-elephant conflict and safeguard both wildlife and humans.

Benefits of the Gaj Rakshak App in Bandhavgarh

The Gaj Rakshak App offers multiple benefits:

• Reduces human-elephant conflict significantly.

• Helps villagers take timely preventive measures.

• Provides forest officials with a wildlife app for monitoring elephants effectively.

• Supports research and data collection for elephant conservation.

• Enhances safety while preserving biodiversity.

By combining technology with conservation, the Gaj Rakshak App represents a new era in wildlife protection, ensuring that elephants and humans coexist harmoniously.

Final Thoughts

The Gaj Rakshak App is a pioneering initiative launched at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to address human-elephant conflicts.

Developed with the Forest Department, Wildlife Conservation Trust, and Kalpvag Company, the app enables real-time elephant tracking, helping forest officials and villagers stay informed. With offline functionality, photo uploads, and herd identification, it sends timely alerts via SMS, notifications, and sirens if elephants approach villages.

Bandhavgarh’s dense forests, bamboo, water sources, and safe terrain have led to a growing elephant population. The app is expanding to multiple districts and tiger reserves, creating a statewide monitoring network. By combining technology and conservation, the Gaj Rakshak App protects elephants and human communities, promoting coexistence between wildlife and people.