Waterbodies in forest areas rejuvenated

Although parts of Kerala are witnessing cloudy afternoons as a prelude to the customary thundershowers in the month of April, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that summer heat is set to remain high across the State during the month.

As per the IMD projections, temperatures will go up further in April in the State and summer rain will continue to be deficient.

Speaking to The Hindu, K. Santhosh, Director, IMD, Thiruvananthapuram, said the State was likely to see more thundershowers in April compared to March, which saw around 68% drop in summer rain. The maximum day temperature would also rule high in the State in April, except in some pockets.

‘Transition period’

“It is a transition period from El Niño, which is characterised by aboveaverage seasurface temperatures that periodically develop across the eastcentral equatorial Pacific, to La Niña.”

“La Niña is just the opposite of El Niño and typically brings copious rain during the monsoon season, apart from bringing cooler temperatures across the country. Although El Niño is in a weakening phase, the lingering

The Forest department has completed rejuvenation of around 1,500 waterbodies in forest areas as part of its efforts to minimise wildlife incursions into human habitations.

Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran reviewed the progress of projects that were finalised at a recent highlevel meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to mitigate humanwildlife conflicts in the State.

The State has 1,434 ponds (waterholes) and 574 ‘vayals’ (swamps) spread over 2,741.584 hectares in forest areas. The department has rejuvenated over 75% of such water sources and ensured sufficient water.

The activity has been taken up in anticipation of a severe drought scenario in the next few months. A project with an estimate of ₹45 lakh, sourced through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, has been prepared for the project. An amount of ₹3 lakh has been sourced from the CSR funds for the Aralam wildlife sanctuary.

The department has also undertaken various other activities, including cleaning of checkdams, establishment of brushwood checkdams, and desilting operations across forest areas. The meeting also assessed other steps adopted to prevent wildlife incursions. As part of such efforts, a list of experts has been prepared to enlist their services for the unfolding crisis.