Hyderabad: The deployment of drones in Telangana’s Jannaram forest division has demonstrated how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can help officials monitor timber smuggling, illegal sand transportation, poaching and forest fires, as forest departments increasingly turn to technology to strengthen conservation efforts.The pilot drone surveillance project was recently conducted in the Indanpally range, covering forest areas considered vulnerable to environmental offences. Conventional patrolling has become difficult in remote and inaccessible terrain, particularly when illegal activities take place at night.Forest staff trained in aerial surveillanceBefore the deployment, forest personnel underwent a four-day training programme in UAV operations, aerial photography, videography and surveillance. The drone can cover a distance of up to eight kilometres and is equipped with thermal imaging systems for both daytime and night-time operations.“Thermal imaging improves visibility during night patrols and helps forest personnel detect movement in areas that are difficult to cover on foot,” said Suryaprakash J, an official with ideaForge.Officials involved in the operation said the drone enabled them to monitor remote locations more effectively and detect instances of illegal sand transportation during the initial deployment. Its aerial capability also allowed officers to survey larger areas without relying entirely on ground patrols.Thermal data aids fire responseThe ideaForge Q6 V2 UAV was also used for the early detection of forest fires in isolated and difficult-to-access areas. Real-time aerial imagery and thermal data helped officials identify the location of a fire and assess the direction in which it was spreading, enabling a quicker response before it could extend to a wider area.“The availability of real-time aerial intelligence gives field teams a clearer picture of developments on the ground and can support faster decision-making during forest fires and surveillance operations,” Suryaprakash said.Apart from detecting illegal activities and forest fires, drones can also be used to monitor wildlife habitats, identify encroachments and document environmental violations. The use of indigenous drone technology in Jannaram also highlights its growing role in environmental management and forest governance.The Jannaram deployment demonstrated that UAVs can complement ground patrols by providing access to remote terrain, enhancing night-time visibility and delivering real-time situational awareness. Their use in surveillance and fire detection could help forest personnel respond more swiftly to threats in landscapes where physical access remains a challenge.
