Indian engineer develops wildlife warning system after mother's death

Mudassir Ali, a 33-year-old software engineer who lost his mother to a bear attack in Kashmir, has taken an innovative initiative to save other lives through technology. He has developed an online early-warning system that informs people about the presence of wildlife, aiming to alert citizens about dangerous animals spotted around residential areas and public places.

Ali has created a free website called 'Wildping' for this system. On this platform, people can report sightings of dangerous wildlife such as Himalayan black bears and leopards. Whenever a sighting is reported by an individual, the platform sends immediate alerts to other users in the vicinity of that area. This allows local residents to remain cautious and avoid potential attacks.

According to an NDTV report, Ali launched the platform in October, marking the first death anniversary of his mother. In a conversation with AFP, Ali stated that after his mother's death, he wanted to use his technical skills to create something that could help people living in areas affected by wildlife attacks. He added that having experienced the pain of losing a loved one to a wildlife attack, he does not want other families to endure similar suffering.

Human-wildlife conflict has become a matter of serious concern across the Himalayan region. Due to deforestation and the shrinking of natural habitats, wildlife is moving closer to human settlements, resulting in increased chances of encounters. According to official data, at least 50 people have died and hundreds have been injured in wildlife attacks in this region since 2023.

The primary objective of 'Wildping' is to warn people before they encounter dangerous animals. In this system, users can create 'alert zones' around specific locations such as their homes, farms, schools, and the routes children use to go to school. If a bear or any other animal is spotted and reported near these designated areas, the relevant users will receive an immediate alert on their phones.

It is clarified on the website that while this system cannot completely stop human-wildlife conflict, it can provide families with a few extra minutes to take precautionary measures. This short window of time can prove crucial, as it enables parents to keep children indoors, avoid specific routes, or call for immediate assistance.

For the convenience of users, the 'Wildping' platform is available in three languages: English, Hindi, and Urdu. Since its launch, the platform has received a very positive response from the public.