Kerala Forest Department Unveils 24/7 Call Centre and Tech-Driven Portal to Monitor Solar Fences

New digital interventions aim to bridge the gap between wildlife management and public safety through real-time tracking and streamlined reporting systems.

The Kerala forest department has officially launched a suite of technology-driven initiatives designed to modernize its administrative efficiency and field-level response capabilities. By integrating a centralized 24/7 call centre with sophisticated digital monitoring tools, the department aims to improve how it handles human-wildlife conflict and infrastructure maintenance across the state.

Streamlining Public Assistance

At the heart of the new framework is a single-window call centre accessible via the toll-free number 1800-425-4733. While the department currently operates through this long-form number, officials have confirmed plans to transition to a more accessible three- or four-digit short code in the near future. This system will serve as a primary contact point for citizens to request information, report sightings of wild animals, or seek intervention when wildlife strays into human habitations.

Once a request is logged, the system triggers a two-way flow of communication. The caller receives an automated SMS update, allowing them to track the status of their request, while the information is simultaneously dispatched via the WildWatch mobile application to the nearest Rapid Response Team (RRT) or Division Forest Emergency Operation Centre (DFEOC). This digitised workflow is intended to eliminate bureaucratic delays and ensure that field units receive actionable intelligence without unnecessary lag.

Infrastructure Oversight: The Solar Fence Portal

Maintaining the integrity of solar fences has historically been a labour-intensive challenge for the forest department, often hampered by sporadic manual reporting. To address this, a new online portal has been introduced to track the operational status and maintenance cycles of these barriers. Every forest station and section is now mandated to update the portal with real-time data, including the total length of functioning versus non-functioning stretches, history of repairs, and inspection logs.

The utility of this system lies in its transparency and accountability features. A centralized dashboard aggregates the data, flagging specific sections that have remained uninspected for more than 48 hours. By providing a clear visual representation of maintenance gaps, the department hopes to prevent the degradation of protective infrastructure before it leads to potential conflict incidents.

Digital Integration and Legal Accountability

Beyond physical infrastructure, the department is digitizing its legal processes by integrating the Hostile Activity Watch Kernel (HAWK) platform with the District Court Management System (DCMS). This move allows for the seamless transfer of forest offence records to judicial authorities online. By bridging the gap between field enforcement and the court system, the state aims to ensure that environmental cases are managed with greater precision and speed.

These initiatives represent a broader shift toward a "tech-first" governance model in wildlife management, where data—rather than just physical presence—informs strategy. As the Kerala forest department continues to deploy these systems, the success of the project will likely depend on the speed of internet connectivity in remote forest ranges and the consistency of field staff in updating these digital logs.