Why in news?
An inspiring story from Chhattisgarh’s Udanti‑Sitanadi Tiger Reserve made headlines on 18 August 2025. Forest officials used satellite and drone imagery to reclaim 1,800 acres of encroached forestland, turning a long struggle into a conservation success.
The story
Over two decades, encroachers had cleared and occupied large tracts of forest within the Udanti‑Sitanadi reserve. Varun Jain, a young forest officer, decided to fight back using evidence instead of force. He collaborated with the National Remote Sensing Centre to analyse satellite images from 2008 and compare them with recent drone footage. The analysis showed that the settlements were new and thus not protected under the Forest Rights Act. Armed with this data, forest teams launched an anti‑encroachment drive despite facing threats, resistance and Maoist presence. After two years they succeeded in evicting more than 300 encroachers and reclaiming land worth over ₹500 crore. The reclaimed areas are now being restored to provide secure habitats for wildlife, reducing human–animal conflicts. The department has also built its own remote sensing portal using artificial intelligence to monitor forest cover and detect illegal activities.
Why this matters
- Environment–development balance: The story illustrates how technology can reconcile conservation with local livelihoods.
- Innovation in governance: Satellite mapping, drones and AI improve transparency and effectiveness in environmental management.
- Ethical leadership: The officer’s courage and integrity highlight the role of individual action in upholding the law and protecting the commons.
Conclusion
This case proves that scientific tools, legal clarity and steadfast leadership can restore degraded forests. It provides a model for balancing human needs with ecological integrity.