To care for wild animals which are facing severe drought conditions, the authorities of Bandipur National Park are making alternative arrangements to ensure availability of water till the rainy season begins.
Of the total 282 waterholes in the national park, there are no water in 270, and in the remaining water is likely to dry up in the next 10 days. Such a situation is being witnessed after two decades.
Bandipur National Park Conservator of Forests Kantharaj told Express that they have dug saucer type pits and covered them with the plastic sheets so that the water stays for some days. They have also installed concrete rings with closed bottom which holds around 2,000 litres of water. Besides, non-percolating waterholes have been identified inside the park where water is filled once in two days. They have also shelved plans to construct big concrete tanks.
The department has engaged four tractor water tanks (2,000 litre capacity) and two water tankers (16,000 litre capacity) to ferry water to the waterholes. Two to four concrete tanks are placed for every two to three km to help wild animals quench their thirst. Since Bandipur has no permanent source of water, it is entirely depending upon the rains and borewell, he added.
He said villagers near the park have come to the rescue of the department by providing water from their borewells at a nominal rate of `200 towards the electricity charges. Each tractor is paid `1,7,50 and `3,000 for each water tankers as diesel charges. A few private resort owners have allowed the department to draw water from their borewells for free.
“We have two solar operated borewells inside the park and it works if the water is available up to 100 feet. But it will not function if the water level goes below 200 feet. Some suggested setting up a windmill inside the forest but it was not considered as it will disturb the wild animals,” he added.
Kantharaj said that they were not sure whether animals would drink water from the artificial tanks but felt happy to see a number of small animals quenching their thirst.
When contacted, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Dipak Sarmah said big animals like elephants can travel long distance to neighbouring forests for drinking water, but smaller animals can not do it. Keeping such animals in view, the department has made alternative drinking water arrangements for them, he added.