Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards promoting technology-enabled wildlife conservation, two senior retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers visited the School of Mechanical Engineering at KIIT Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU) to review innovative conservation technologies developed through collaboration between academia and the Forest Department.
The visit, held on June 24, 2026, focused on cutting-edge research and engineering solutions designed to protect wildlife species such as elephants, blackbucks and Olive Ridley turtles through advanced technological interventions.
Senior Forest Officials Review Innovative Conservation Projects
The visiting dignitaries included:
- Dr. Debabrata Swain (Retd. IFS), Former Member of Lokayukta and Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), Odisha.
- Saroj Kumar Patnaik (Retd. IFS), Former Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha, and former Member of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court of India.
The delegation was accompanied by Vishwanath Neelannavar, IFS, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Berhampur Circle, who guided the officials through the research facilities and ongoing projects.
Collaboration Between Forest Department and KIIT
The technologies showcased during the visit have been developed under a collaborative initiative between the Forest Innovation Cell of the Office of the RCCF, Berhampur Circle, and the Defence Research Laboratory at KIIT’s School of Mechanical Engineering.
The collaboration aims to develop practical engineering solutions that can strengthen wildlife conservation efforts and assist forest officials in addressing emerging ecological challenges.
Technologies Developed for Wildlife Protection
During the visit, the dignitaries reviewed several innovative prototypes and conservation technologies designed to safeguard vulnerable wildlife species.
The projects focus on:
- Protection of wild elephants
- Conservation of blackbucks
- Safety and monitoring of Olive Ridley turtles
- Technology-assisted wildlife management
- Engineering solutions for biodiversity conservation
Researchers demonstrated how these technologies can support forest officials in improving wildlife monitoring, habitat protection and conservation management.
Two Design Patents Already Granted
One of the major highlights of the programme was the success achieved by the interdisciplinary research team in securing intellectual property rights.
According to KIIT, the collaborative initiative has already resulted in:
- Two granted design patents
- Several additional intellectual property rights related to wildlife conservation technologies
The achievements underline the growing role of engineering and technological innovation in solving complex environmental and wildlife conservation challenges.
Programme Coordinated by KIIT Faculty
The visit was coordinated by:
- Dr. Tulishree Pradhan, Associate Professor, KIIT Law School (KLS)
- Dr. Ipsita Das, Associate Dean (PG) and Associate Professor, KIIT Law School
The event was also attended by S. Jyotiranjan, Central Government Counsel and Secretary General of the KIIT Centre for International Arbitration and Mediation.
The technological demonstrations were led by Prof. Manoj Ukamanal, who has been supervising the research projects and innovation initiatives.
University Leadership Participates
The programme witnessed the presence of senior university officials, including:
- Dr. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT Deemed to be University
- Prof. P. C. Mishra, Dean, School of Mechanical Engineering
Several deans, faculty members and research and development team members also attended the interaction.
Focus on Field Deployment and Future Collaboration
During discussions, the retired IFS officers appreciated the innovative work undertaken by KIIT researchers and deliberated on strategies for deploying these technologies in real-world forest conditions.
They encouraged stronger collaboration between:
- Academic institutions
- Forest Department
- Scientists and researchers
- Technology developers
The discussions focused on accelerating field implementation of innovative solutions that can improve wildlife conservation and biodiversity management across forest landscapes.
KIIT Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Conservation
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening interdisciplinary research for environmental protection.
KIIT-DU stated that the interaction reaffirmed the university’s commitment to promoting innovation, sustainable technologies and collaborative research for biodiversity conservation.
The university aims to continue developing practical technological solutions that contribute to wildlife protection while supporting government conservation agencies in preserving India’s rich natural heritage.
