Kochi: With the commencement of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season on November 17, the Kerala's Forest Department has initiated real-time monitoring along the 12 km-long Sathram-Pulmedu-Sannidhanam route.

The main objective of this technology intervention is to track the movement of wild animals and ensure the safety of pilgrims on trekking routes.

A control room facility at Peerumade has been set up to promptly alert authorities about the presence of wild animals, facilitating Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to swiftly address any potential threats and secure the passage of pilgrims. A similar monitoring facility was successfully introduced on the Azhutha-Karimala-Sabarimala route last year, contributing to a pilgrimage season without any untoward incidents.

Azhutha Forest Range Officer Jyothish J Ozhakkal said strategically Pan-Tilt-and-Zoom (PTZ) cameras have been installed at Uppupara and Zero Point on the Pulmedu route and additional cameras at Seethakulam would be fixed within a week.

"Multiple surveillance cameras have also been set up to monitor the movement of wild animals in the grasslands. If a herd is detected in a specific area, the RRT will be immediately alerted to ensure the safety of pilgrims," said Ozhakkal.

The idea for this monitoring facility was drawn from the network developed by the Periyar East Division six years ago. This network not only tracked the movement of wild animals but also played a crucial role in forest fire prevention, monitoring human activities such as sandalwood theft and poaching, and overseeing the inter-state forest boundary.

Periyar Assistant Field Director PJ Shuhaib highlighted the success of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) monitoring system, which covers 925 sq km and employs towers, transmitters and receptors inside the forest. This system, implemented in three phases, stands as the country's sole forest division with an in-house real-time monitoring facility. The first two phases cost Rs 4.75 lakh and Rs 26 lakh, respectively, with plans for the third phase dependent on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding.

In addition to these monitoring efforts, Forest Minister A K Saseendran recently launched the Ayyan App, designed to assist and monitor Sabarimala pilgrims. The App provides information on the Periyar Tiger Reserve, pilgrimage trek routes, and guidelines for devotees. Pilgrims can scan QR codes at entry points to receive information on their route, distance and estimated travel time. The App also includes emergency contact numbers and facilitates real-time communication for alerts, such as the presence of wild animals. It serves as a comprehensive tool for pilgrims, offering details on pooja timings, temple opening days and identifying eateries along the route.