Panna, Madhya Pradesh:
In a first, unmanned aerial surveillance planes - drones - have been deployed in the Panna Tiger Reserve to keep a tab on the movement of tigers and other animals and to keep an eye on poachers.
Poachers had virtually wiped out the big cat population in the reserve a few years ago.
After a successful 'translocation' (bringing animals from elsewhere) programme, the reserve now has 23 tigers.
The first drone took off on Friday on its maiden flight from Hinouta Range's Khiraia beat in the presence of reserve authorities and officials of Covergence Drones, Switzerland, World Wide Fund for Nature and Wildlife Institute of India.
Reserve Director R Sriniwas Murthy told reporters that this is the first such use of drones in the country.
The drone to be deployed in the reserver is two metres long and one metre in width. It weighs nearly two kg, is equipped with sensitive cameras and flies at a speed of 50km per hour.
Mr Murthy said forest officials would be able to handle it easily as the technique is simple.
The deployment of drones has been jointly organised by Drones Switzerland, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Madhya Pradesh Forest Department.