An artificial water hole from Gautala Autramghat wildlife sanctuary – file photo
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They said wildlife has so far found little space in govt’s drought planning. Chief conservator of forests for Marathwada Pramod Chand Lakra said regional and local authorities have been directed to regularly replenish waterholes in sanctuaries and other forest areas. “We will monitor the situation closely and ensure wildlife does not bear the brunt of the drought crisis,” Lakra said.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : As Marathwada stares at drought after a rain-starved monsoon, another crisis is brewing deep inside its forests. With waterholes shrinking and fodder threatened, wild animals could soon be forced out of their habitats in search of food and water. Conservationists fear the scarcity could push herbivores into farms and villages. Predators could follow. The result, they warn, could be more human-animal conflict, crop damage and wildlife deaths. They have urged the forest department to urgently prepare a drought contingency plan for sanctuaries and forests. Conservationists have urged the divisional commissioner and chief conservator of forests to jointly review the situation. They want collectors in drought-hit districts to factor the water needs of wildlife into tanker deployment plans. Maharashtra forest minister Ganesh Naik could not be reached for a comment. Download the TOI App.
Marathwada has received 445mm rainfall against the expected 679mm since June 1. The shortfall stands at 234mm, or 35%, after prolonged dry spells in Aug and Sept.
Jalna honorary wildlife warden Dr Kishor Pathak said govt has prepared measures for drinking water and fodder for people and livestock, but wildlife must also be protected. This could increase human-animal conflict, crop damage and wildlife deaths,” Pathak said. Pathak said authorities need to act before the crisis deepens. Water conservation structures also need urgent repairs,” he said. “Wildlife could become the silent victim of this drought if we do not intervene in time,” Katti said.
“Herbivores will be forced towards farms in search of water and fodder. “Extreme heat and dehydration could also kill animals in the wild. Among the vulnerable habitats is the 260sqkm Gautala-Autramghat Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalgaon. It is home to leopards, sloth bears, chinkara, nilgai, foxes and several bird species. Conservationists are also worried about Yedshi-Ramling Ghat Sanctuary in Dharashiv, which has hyenas, wolves, foxes and peacocks, besides a lone tiger. Naigaon Peacock Sanctuary in Beed and other forest patches could also face severe water and fodder shortages. “Artificial waterholes must be refilled by tankers every seven to eight days. Fodder plots and cattle fodder camps should be created in and around sanctuaries. Nanded honorary wildlife warden Atindra Katti called for daily monitoring of animal movement and an early-warning system for villages bordering forests. He also sought a separate budget for wildlife drought mitigation on the lines of measures planned for people.