Not enough water pots for birds at Karnala

PANVEL: Located along the Mumbai-Goa highway, Karnala Bird Sanctuary is home to rare species of birds. With temperature soaring by the day, three ponds in the sanctuary have dried up, forcing birds to search for water in the park over the past few days.

Aba Ranware, an environmentalist, said, “Owing to the rise in temperature, three ponds have dried up. The authorities have made arrangements to attach a pipeline to the borewell in the bird sanctuary, but the water is only supplied to those who stay in the guest house there. The authorities need to look into the issue and place more water pots for the birds.”

SK Pawar, the forest officer, said, “We have taken measures to ensure the birds are not thirsty. In a bid to provide water to the animals and birds in the sanctuary, water pots have been put in place at 27 locations in the park. Seven workers have been deployed to fill these water pots thrice a week.”

The bird sanctuary administration has placed 27 water pots at several places, including Natar Track, Harer Track, Tadoba, Mor Taka, Kachar Tala, Gherwadi, Koral, for the birds, but environmentalists feel these water pots are not sufficient to redress the issue.

They have emphasised that social organisations need to step in and help make adequate arrangements to help the birds.

PHOTOS: BACHCHAN KUMAR A pond at Karnala Bird Sanctuary that has dried up owing to rise in temperatures. (Inset) A water pot placed at the bird sanctuary.