MUTHANGA: For the last couple of weeks, range officers of the Wayanad Wildlife Division have been scanning the water level in 199 water holes. The depleting water level has left the officials a worried lot because they are the lifeline of over 400 elephants, 60 tigers and hundreds of bison, bears, deer and varied monkey species.
“We are facing serious water scarcity. By February-March, all water holes will dry and animals are likely to move out in search of water. Rainfall in Wayanad has gone down by 45 per cent compared to last year,” said Wayanad wildlife warden P Dhanesh Kumar. “As rainwater is the main source of water replenishment in water holes, the level has gone down considerably,” he said.
A team of officers under the warden is charting out a detailed action plan to tackle the impending water crisis in three wildlife ranges - Muthanga, Bathery and Kurichiyat. “For the first time in the last 30 years, water level has gone down so early in the region. During the previous summer, at least 2-3 holes in the region had enough water.
But this time, there will be tremendous pressure on Wayanad region as animals from Bandipur and Mudumalai will also move in as both the reserves have started to face water crisis,” said Muthanga deputy range officer Murali Krishnan.
Forest personnel led by Muthanga range officer S Heeralal has been coordinating efforts to set up more earthen bunds inside the forest. “Apart from setting up earthen bunds, we will be laying large tarpaulin in the water holes and will be filling them with water,” said Bathery range officer K R Krishnadas.