Fri Nov 29 17:50:16 UTC 2024: ## Wildlife Cameras Used to Surveil Women in Indian Tiger Reserve, Study Alleges
**CORBETT NATIONAL PARK, Uttarakhand, India** – A new study has sparked controversy in India, alleging that wildlife cameras and drones deployed in Corbett National Park are being misused to surveil local women without their consent. The research, published in *Environment and Planning F*, details how technology intended for wildlife conservation is instead creating a climate of fear and intimidation for women who rely on the forest for resources and refuge.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge interviewed 270 residents, including numerous women, near the tiger reserve. Their findings reveal that camera traps, ostensibly monitoring wildlife, are being strategically placed in areas frequented by women, including dry stream beds used for relieving themselves. One instance cited involved a photo of a woman using the toilet, captured by a camera trap and subsequently circulated on social media by temporary forest personnel.
The study also highlights the use of drones to monitor women’s movements, effectively driving them out of the forest and preventing them from collecting resources—a right afforded to them by law. Local women report feeling constantly watched, leading to increased anxiety and a heightened risk of dangerous encounters with wildlife as they are forced to venture deeper into unfamiliar and more hazardous parts of the forest.
The Chief Wildlife Warden of Uttarakhand, RK Mishra, has acknowledged the allegations and initiated an investigation. He stated that the intention was not to violate anyone’s privacy. However, the study’s authors argue that the unintended consequences of the technology are severe, impacting the mental well-being and safety of the women.
Co-author Chris Sandbrook emphasizes the need for greater consideration of the social impact of conservation technologies. The study underscores the crucial importance of understanding how local communities utilize forests and integrating their perspectives into conservation strategies, particularly in regions where women’s lives are deeply intertwined with their forest environment. The incident highlights broader concerns about the potential for surveillance technology to be misused and the urgent need for ethical guidelines in its application.
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