29/04/2026
Hon’ble Minister, Shri Wangki Lowang inaugurated ‘One Week Hands on Training for the use of High-tech Thermal Drones in Wildlife Rescue and Forestry works in Arunachal Pradesh.
ITANAGAR, April 29: The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, has launched a week-long hands-on training programme on the use of high-tech thermal drones for wildlife rescue and forestry operations in the state. The training, being held from April 29 to May 5, 2026, marks a major initiative towards integrating modern technology into forest and wildlife management, especially in response to the rising incidents of human-animal conflict in Arunachal Pradesh that have claimed several human lives due to attacks by tigers and elephants.
The programme was inaugurated on Tuesday at the PCCF office conference hall in Itanagar by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Wangki Lowang. Advisor to the Minister Wanglin Lowangdong attended as Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by PCCF & HoFF in-charge and CEO, State Authority CAMPA, N. Tam, Additional PCCF & Nodal Officer (FCA) Debendra Dalai, Director & CEO of RNR Unmanned Aerial Systems Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, Rajiv Pemmasani, along with senior officials, dignitaries, and frontline forest personnel from different forest divisions across the state.
RNR Unmanned Aerial Systems Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based company specializing in wildlife rescue and forestry thermal drones, is conducting the voluntary training through four master trainers deputed to Arunachal Pradesh. The company had earlier assisted the Forest Department in the successful search, tracking, monitoring, tranquilizing, rescue, and capture operations of two rogue elephants at Deomali in Tirap district and Sunpura in Lohit district, both linked to multiple human fatalities, including the deaths of a former MLA and an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Arunachal Pradesh Police.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Wangki Lowang emphasized the growing importance of advanced technology in wildlife conservation and forest management. He said such initiatives would strengthen conservation strategies and improve the operational efficiency of the Forest Department. The Minister also expressed gratitude to Rajiv Pemmasani and his team for their support during the rogue elephant rescue operations and felicitated them during the programme.
During the event, the Minister distributed five high-tech thermal drones procured in the first phase to five forest divisions heavily affected by human-animal conflict. These included Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve in Changlang district, Deomali Division in Tirap district, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary Division in Roing, Nampong Division in Jairampur, and Itanagar Biological Park headquarters. He also appreciated the department’s efforts in introducing modern equipment such as German-made tranquilizing guns, advanced tiger and leopard capture cages, rescue vehicles, and ten Thar Roxx patrolling vehicles for frontline forest staff.
Advisor Wanglin Lowangdong praised the initiative and highlighted the importance of adopting modern technology for wildlife conservation. He said thermal drones would help reduce risks faced by forest personnel while improving operational efficiency and response time in conflict-prone areas. He also commended the department for strengthening its infrastructure and upgrading equipment to better manage increasing human-animal conflicts in the state.
In his address, PCCF & HoFF in-charge N. Tam congratulated the Wildlife Wing for acquiring advanced drone technology, stating that the drones would help monitor vast forest areas with greater accuracy. He noted their usefulness in detecting forest fires early, monitoring illegal activities, and improving forest management practices.
Additional PCCF Debendra Dalai highlighted the various applications of drone technology in forestry, including habitat mapping, biodiversity monitoring, and detection of illegal encroachments and activities, which would further strengthen conservation efforts in Arunachal Pradesh.
The training programme aims to equip forest officials with practical skills in operating thermal drones for wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching activities, rescue operations, and habitat assessment. The initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to using modern technology for sustainable forest and wildlife conservation.
