Haldwani forest department staff are installing wildlife acoustic recorders on trees to monitor biodiversity in the area. Photo | Express
Dehradun: Uttarakhand’s Haldwani forest department has integrated advanced wildlife acoustic recording equipment and artificial intelligence (AI) to carry out a high-precision assessment of bird biodiversity in the region.
In a first-of-its-kind project, the Uttarakhand Forest Department will use sound recorders and machine learning to protect wildlife across the state.
“Under this initiative, automated wildlife acoustic recording devices have been deployed in the forest areas to continuously capture natural sounds and bird calls from the environment,” explained Kundan Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests (DFO).
“These devices operate 24 hours a day with minimal human disturbance. Each bird species has unique vocal signatures, so by processing the vocal data using AI software, we can identify species and assess their activity levels with unprecedented accuracy.”
The project relies on advanced machine learning and deep learning algorithms that allow researchers to analyze thousands of hours of acoustic data in a fraction of the time required for manual surveys.
“This system helps estimate species presence and relative abundance, understand complex activity patterns, and generate valuable scientific insights into habitat health,” DFO Kumar said. TNIE.
Located at a critical interface between the Himalayan foothills and the Terai ecosystem, Haldwani Forest is recognized globally as a major bird habitat. It serves as a sanctuary for a wide variety of resident and migratory bird species, including rare and critical bird species.
The ecological importance of the sector was highlighted in December 2025 when a bird survey made a landmark discovery – the first recorded black baza in the state.
Moreover, this forest continues to be Uttarakhand’s exclusive hangout for one of India’s most charismatic avian residents, the Red-breasted Robin. Based on these findings, forest officials are now turning to technology to better understand these habitats.
The main benefit of this digital transition is its effectiveness in monitoring nocturnal birds. Traditional surveys often struggle to record creatures that hide in the dark, such as owls and nightjars.
By capturing these unique calls throughout the night, this technology provides a comprehensive view of the ecosystem that human observers often miss.
“This technology offers important strategic advantages beyond mere identification,” explained Kundan Kumar, DFO. “Unlike traditional surveys, these acoustic recorders provide 24/7 monitoring without human intrusion, protecting the sanctity of wildlife habitat.”
Kumar noted that this initiative will enable the collection of long-term biodiversity data, which is essential for tracking population trends, migration patterns, and breeding behavior.
Generating such detailed insights will allow the agency to better assess how species respond to evolving environmental pressures and ensure more effective data-driven conservation strategies for the region.
