Murtaza Taj: Building Technology and Trust for Forest Fire Prevention

In this episode of Smart Forests Radio, we speak with Murtaza Taj, Associate Professor and Director of the Computer Vision Lab, as well as former Director of Technology for People Initiative at Lahore University of Management Sciences, about his work developing early forest fire detection systems in Pakistan. Murtaza explains why he prioritized low-cost, energy-efficient, and easy-to-deploy technologies, which led his team to build an indigenized suite of sensing, simulation, and communication tools tailored to local contexts rather than relying on imported models. He describes running a successful pilot in northern Pakistan, where his team combined technology deployment with government and community engagement. He also details collaborating with the Forest Department, forest guards, local communities, NGOs, and network providers, and considers how multiple institutions and communities must adapt for a more holistic approach to fire prevention and response.

Interviewers: Jennifer Gabrys and Phoebe Hamilton Jones

Producer: Harry Murdoch

Image: Centre for Water Informatics & Technology, Lahore University of Management Sciences