IoT-enhanced Smart Laser Fence for Reducing Human Elephant Conflicts

Human animal conflict is a serious problem in several countries in the Asian and African continents. The human animal conflict commonly results in the damage to properties and loss of human/animal life and limbs. The conflict between elephants and humans is considered to be one of the most serious conflicts due to the nature of losses incurred. The most commonly used deterrent used to keep the animals away from human settlements is the electric fence. Though, electric fences could act as a barrier for elephants to enter into villages, with time elephants learn to break them and enter villages. This paper presents the design of a smart laser fence that can be used for detecting elephants as well as chasing them back to the jungle with the help of other associated systems. The tests carried out on the system show that the concept is working and can be deployed in the field after an extensive field test.