India, May 27 -- In a push to reduce human-wildlife conflict, the Maharashtra government has approved a Rs.260 crore action plan which includes setting up artificial intelligence (AI)-based wildlife alert systems in 1,000 villages, advanced control rooms, and rescue centres and rapid response teams across the state.

The decision was approved during a meeting of the standing committee of the Maharashtra Wildlife Board chaired by forest minister Ganesh Naik at Mantralaya on Tuesday.

Apart from Naik, the meeting was attended by MLA Sameer Meghe, principal chief conservator of forests Srinivas Rao, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) M Srinivas Reddy, and other senior officials.

The approved action plan aims to prevent attack...