Wildlife Monitoring Tech Misused to Harass Women in Indian Forests

A Cambridge study reveals surveillance tools meant for conservation are being exploited to intimidate women and restrict their forest access, posing safety and privacy risks.

Camera traps, drones, and audio recorders intended for wildlife conservation are being used to monitor and intimidate women near the Corbett Tiger Reserve in northern India.
Forest rangers have flown drones over women to frighten them and prevent them from gathering resources, which is their legal right.
Women feel inhibited by the presence of surveillance devices, altering their behavior in ways that increase their risk of wildlife attacks, including a fatal tiger encounter.
Images of women captured by camera traps have been shared on social media, leading to public humiliation and backlash from local communities.
Researchers call for critical evaluation of conservation technologies, urging the use of less invasive methods to prevent harm to vulnerable populations.