Odisha has launched the Chief Minister's Grant for Research on Odisha's Wildlife (CM-GROW), a new programme aimed at strengthening wildlife research and building a stronger scientific foundation for conservation across the state.

The programme was launched on October 3, 2026, by Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia during the state's Wildlife Week celebrations.

The initiative comes as Odisha expands its use of scientific research and technology in wildlife conservation, with a particular focus on monitoring wildlife, preventing poaching and understanding animal behaviour.

300 More Cameras Planned for Similipal

One of the major announcements under the programme is the planned installation of another 300 surveillance cameras in Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district.

The additional equipment will include both AI-enabled and regular surveillance cameras.

According to Minister Singkhuntia, 300 cameras are currently installed across Similipal, with another 300 expected to be installed soon.

The expanded camera network will have two primary objectives: strengthening surveillance against poaching and supporting the study of animal behaviour in the wild.

The use of AI-enabled surveillance technology could provide conservation teams with additional tools for monitoring wildlife and identifying activity across the tiger reserve.

Research at the Centre of Conservation

The CM-GROW programme is designed to promote research related to Odisha's wildlife and strengthen the scientific basis for conservation decisions.

The state government said recent conservation achievements have been supported by a combination of scientific approaches, modern technology, administrative measures and contributions from forest personnel and local communities.

The programme is therefore intended to encourage greater use of research and evidence in understanding Odisha's wildlife and ecosystems.

The initiative was announced during Wildlife Week, which is observed across India from October 2 to October 8 each year.

Strengthening Wildlife Monitoring

Similipal is receiving particular attention under the new initiative because of the importance of monitoring wildlife and protecting the reserve from threats such as poaching.

The planned 300 additional cameras will double the number of cameras currently installed across the reserve, based on the figures provided by the minister.

The combination of conventional and AI-enabled surveillance systems is expected to strengthen monitoring capabilities while also generating information that can contribute to wildlife research.

Beyond enforcement, the data collected through surveillance can help researchers and conservation teams better understand animal behaviour and wildlife activity.

Wildlife Conservation and Local Communities

The Wildlife Week programme also highlighted the importance of local communities in conservation.

The state government said its recent conservation progress has been supported by forest personnel as well as local communities.

During the event, sanction orders and cheques were distributed to people whose houses had been completely damaged by wildlife.

The measure reflects the state's efforts to support people affected by human-wildlife interactions while continuing to strengthen conservation measures.

Balancing wildlife protection with the needs of communities living near forests remains an important part of conservation management.

Expanding Ecotourism in Odisha

The Wildlife Week celebrations also included the online inauguration of several day-visit ecotourism destinations across Odisha.

These included Peacock Valley and Nageswar Dam in the Chandaka Wildlife Division, destinations in the Similipal North Wildlife Division, Karakhol in the Chilika Wildlife Division, Sambalpur Zoo and visitor facilities in the Hirakud Wildlife Division.

The state also laid foundation stones for upcoming ecotourism initiatives at locations including Rajhans in the Chilika Wildlife Division, Rani Duduma in the Koraput Forest Division, Badmul in the Mahanadi Wildlife Division and Pentha in the Rajnagar Wildlife Division.

New facilities at Nandankanan Zoological Park were also included in the upcoming initiatives.

Highlighting the Eastern Ghats

A movie titled "The Biodiversity of Eastern Ghats" was also released during the programme.

The film highlights the biological diversity and ecological importance of the Eastern Ghats.

The release adds an awareness and education component to the state's Wildlife Week activities, complementing the research and conservation measures announced through CM-GROW.

The event also included the release of coloured postcards and special covers focused on wildlife and conservation.

Technology and Science in Conservation

Odisha's new research grant programme reflects a broader emphasis on combining technology with conservation efforts.

The planned expansion of camera surveillance in Similipal is one of the clearest examples.

With 300 cameras already installed and another 300 planned, the reserve is set to have a significantly larger surveillance network.

AI-enabled cameras could provide additional monitoring capabilities, while conventional cameras can continue supporting broader surveillance coverage.

The programme's research focus also creates an opportunity to use information collected through conservation activities to improve understanding of wildlife and ecosystems.

Looking Ahead

The launch of CM-GROW marks a new focus on strengthening wildlife research as part of Odisha's conservation strategy.

The immediate priority includes expanding surveillance in Similipal, where another 300 AI-enabled and regular cameras are planned to support anti-poaching efforts and wildlife behaviour studies.

At the same time, Odisha is expanding ecotourism infrastructure and continuing programmes designed to address human-wildlife interactions.

The state's approach combines research, technology, conservation enforcement, community involvement and ecological awareness.

With Wildlife Week providing the platform for these initiatives, the CM-GROW programme could become an important mechanism for supporting scientific research on Odisha's wildlife and strengthening evidence-based conservation efforts across the state.