Brushwood check-dams in Marayur forest to provide water to wildlife
More than 30 checkdams built inside forest areas of Marayur, Kanthallur divisions to ensure water for animals and to keep them from foraying into human habitations; some ponds were also restored and filled with water recently
To ensure water availability to wild animals, officials of Marayur sandal division in Idukki have constructed temporary brushwood checkdams inside the forest areas.
According to Forest department officials, temperature is soaring due to absence of summer showers, resulting in water scarcity inside the forest areas of Marayur division.
30 check dams
Marayur Sandal Division Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) M.G. Vinod Kumar said that over 30 brushwood checkdams have been constructed inside the forest areas of Marayur and Kanthallur divisions. “Normally, the area receives summer showers in February and March, which ensures water security for wild animals inside the forests. But this year, there is a water shortage inside the forests due to absence of summer rain,” said Mr. Kumar.
“Most of the big streams have dried up,” added Mr. Kumar.
“The small streams inside the forests are still active, but the stream water is not suitable for drinking. The temporary brushwood checkdams will ensure water security for the animals and avoid the foray of wild animals into human habitations in search of water,” said the official.
Natural flow intact
“For the construction of brushwood checkdams, wooden pieces, stones and soil were used. Such checkdams will not block the natural flow of the streams. After heavy rain, they will wash away,” said Mr Kumar.
Wild animals are regularly arriving at these checkdams to drink water, according to officials.
Recently, officials also repaired and filled over five ponds inside the forest areas to ensure water availability for wild elephants, including wild tusker Padayappa.
Marayur falls in a rainshadow area, and is part of an ecologically sensitive zone on the eastern side of the Western Ghats.