Kodagu Elephant Mahout's Daughter Wins Science Exhibition with Innovative Wildlife Alert System

Harini V., a Class 6 student of Government Higher Primary School, Ratnapuri, in Hunsur taluk, and the daughter of Venkatesh, a mahout at the Harangi Elephant Camp near Kushalnagar in Kodagu district, poses with her award-winning science project. Photo by Karun Kalaiah.

Kushalnagar: A Class 6 student from Karnataka has earned widespread appreciation after developing an innovative science model designed to help reduce human-wildlife conflict in villages bordering the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.

Harini V., a student of Government Higher Primary School, Ratnapuri, in Hunsur taluk, is the daughter of Venkatesh, a mahout at the Harangi Elephant Camp near Kushalnagar in Kodagu district. Her project, which won first prize at a science exhibition, features a siren-based early warning system that alerts villagers when wild animals approach human settlements.

The model is aimed at protecting tribal hamlets located along the fringes of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, where encounters with elephants, tigers, bears and other wild animals have become increasingly common. According to the concept behind the project, the system detects the movement of wild animals and activates a siren, giving residents advance warning to take precautionary measures and move to safety.

Speaking to The Kodagu Express, Harini said "the idea was inspired by the growing challenges faced by people living near forests, where unexpected wildlife movement often poses a threat to lives and livelihoods. By providing an early warning, the system seeks to minimise casualties and reduce incidents of human-wildlife conflict."

In addition to promoting public safety, the project also carries a strong environmental message. Harini has emphasised the importance of conserving forests and urged people not to cut down trees, noting that protecting natural habitats is essential for reducing conflicts between humans and wildlife.

Harini's innovative project received the first prize at the science exhibition and has been widely praised by teachers, parents and members of the public for its practical approach to addressing a real-world conservation challenge.

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