Misuse of Surveillance Technology at Corbett National Park | 05 Dec 2024

Why in News?

According to a study published in the journal Environment and Planning F, forest rangers at Corbett Tiger Reserve deliberately used drones to monitor local women and deter them from gathering natural resources, even though they were legally entitled to access these resources.

Key Points

  • Significance of the Study:
    • The study revealed that surveillance technologies negatively affect the mental health of local women who depend on forests for daily activities.
    • This study highlights the intersection of technology, conservation, and social equity, urging stakeholders to adopt more inclusive approaches.
  • Issues Faced by Women:
    • It was highlighted that while technologies like camera traps are common in wildlife monitoring, they can unintentionally invade privacy and alter human behavior.
    • These findings underscore the need to ensure such tools do not harm local communities.
  • Recommendations:
    • In northern India, women’s identities are deeply tied to their daily forest activities, making it crucial to consider their perspectives in conservation efforts.
    • Conservation strategies must strike a balance between wildlife monitoring and safeguarding the dignity, safety, and rights of local communities.

Corbett Tiger Reserve

  • About:
    • It is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in Corbett National Park (first National Park of India), which is part of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
      • The national park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger.
      • It is named after Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment.
    • The core area forms the Corbett National Park while the buffer contains reserve forests as well as the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.
    • The entire area of the reserve is mountainous and falls in the Shivalik and Outer Himalaya geological provinces.
  • Flora:
    • Dense moist deciduous forests are found. According to the Botanical Survey of India, Corbett has 600 species of plants - trees, shrubs, ferns, grass, climbers, herbs, and bamboo. Sal, Khair, and Sissoo are the most visible trees found in Corbett.
  • Fauna: