Vologda Region Deploys Digital Acoustic Monitoring in Forests
A new system called “Lesnik” (Forester) has been launched in the Vologda region. It detects the sound of chainsaws and the vibrations of logging trucks under virtually any weather conditions. The devices are designed not only to combat illegal logging but also to monitor human activity during high-risk fire seasons.
The rollout is part of a broader effort to introduce digital tools to enforce forest protection laws. The initiative is being implemented under the national project “Ekologicheskoe blagopoluchie” (Environmental Wellbeing), launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The core innovation is the Lesnik system itself, which captures acoustic and seismic signals generated by forestry equipment and transmits the data to dispatch centers and local forest authorities for rapid verification.
When the system detects characteristic noise or ground vibrations, sensors are triggered and alerts are sent to the regional dispatch service. The dispatcher then forwards the information to state forestry units for inspection. Authorities in the region plan to use Lesnik not only to detect illegal logging but also to monitor public presence in forest areas during fire-prone periods, strengthening digital oversight and enabling faster response to violations.
