The department is using tractor tankers to fill artificial water sources based on wildlife movement. The initiative is aimed at ensuring water availability for elephants, deer, gaurs and other wild animals inside the forests and preventing them from venturing into villages and agricultural areas.
At the same time, the forest department has been regularly replenishing 113 artificial water troughs in forest ranges to reduce human-animal conflicts. In the Madukkarai range, more than 10 artificial water troughs are being cleaned and filled regularly. As several water sources remain dried up in reserve forest areas due to a deficit in southwest monsoon rainfall, wild animals continue to travel longer distances in search of drinking water — increasing the risk of their straying into human habitations. But due to the lack of monsoon rainfall this year, we are maintaining 113 troughs in seven ranges in the forest division. Because of the lack of rainfall, madukkarai forest range officer R Arunkumar says natural streams in the range have dried up.
Coimbatore district forest officer N Vengadesh Prabhu says the department usually undertakes large-scale filling of artificial water sources during April and May when summer water scarcity peaks. I have instructed all the range officers to continue to artificially fill the troughs to ensure water availability for wildlife,” he says. COIMBATORE: Summer routines are continuing for wild animals and forest department personnel in the Coimbatore forest division even months after summer ended. However, the poor southwest monsoon this year has forced officials to continue the exercise for a longer period. “Usually, we maintain and fill water troughs during the dry months of April and May. Ranges such as Madukkarai, Periyanaickenpalayam, Sirumugai and Mettupalayam are dry.
Forest department officials say maintaining artificial water sources will remain a key measure until rainfall improves and natural water bodies regain adequate levels. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Coimbatore | Silver Rate in Coimbatore | Bank Holidays in Coimbatore | Public Holidays in Coimbatore | Coimbatore AQI | Weather in Coimbatore | Petrol Price in Coimbatore | Diesel Price in Coimbatore | CNG Price in Coimbatore | LPG Price in Coimbatore