Technologies, such as chambers controlled at a distance, recording devices and drones, are actively used in environmental science to monitor wild nature and protect natural areas. However, the study conducted by Cambridge scientists in the forests of North India revealed cases of abuse of these technologies, including their use to monitor women without their consent.
During research published in the journal “Environment and Planning F”, the national Park Corbett Tiger Reserve was studied. Local foresters used drones to intimidate women and prevent their location in the forest, although by law they have the right to collect natural resources there. Women from nearby villages note that cameras and other devices create a feeling of surveillance in them and limit their behavior, which increases the risk of unexpected meetings with wild animals, including tigers and elephants. In one case, such a meeting ended with a tragedy.
The forest has long served local women not only as a source of necessary resources but also as a place of solitude and social support. They gathered together, sang traditional songs, and shared difficulties, avoiding pressure in patriarchal villages, where domestic violence and alcoholism are common. However, the appearance of technologies originally intended for monitoring wildlife changed their lives. Cameras not only limit their freedom but are also used to humiliate. For example, one of the cameras recorded a woman during a trip to the toilet, and the picture was distributed on local social networks.
Researchers emphasize the need to take into account the social consequences of using such technologies in environmental projects. It is important to introduce less invasive methods for collecting information, such as surveys, in order to avoid a negative impact on local residents. Such situations are not only recorded in India but also in other countries, including the UK, where devices accidentally record people in national parks.
The problem requires an integrated approach aimed at protecting the rights of local communities and preventing the abuse of technologies. These conclusions serve as a reminder that technologies intended to protect nature should be used with caution and respect for human privacy.