Water troughs to the rescue of parched animals in reserve forests
In heatwave-like conditions in Tiruchi and Pudukottai districts, Forest Department has set up tanks at several places and lls them with water regularly; this is expected to prevent animals from entering human habitations to quench their thirst
Amid soaring temperature and intense heatwave conditions gripping various parts of the State, the Forest Department has taken steps to quench the thirst of animals and birds in various reserve forests in Tiruchi and neighbouring Pudukottai district.
Having already established water troughs inside the reserve forests, eld-level personnel of the Forest Department are now engaged in the task of lling water in these structures.
This exercise was started in both districts recently in view of the intense
Water being filled in an artificially created trough inside a reserve forest in Pudukottai district.
heatwave conditions, said senior Forest Department ocials.
In Tiruchi district, water troughs in reserve forests at Veeramachanpatti, Mavelipatti, Pulivalam, M.R. Palayam, Thatchankurichi,
Periamalai and Thatchamalai were being lled with water periodically.
“The water lling exercise is being done weekly in the reserve forests falling under the Tiruchi Forest Range by using tankers in view of the peak sum- mer season and intense heatwave conditions,” said a eld-level ocial. This was done prevent animals from straying out of the reserve forests in search of water, the ocial added.
In Pudukottai district, a water trough created inside the sprawling Narthamalai reserve forest was being lled with water once in 10 days.
Water from a nearby well was being pumped using a motor to ll the trough. Besides this, ve to six check dams constructed inside the Narthamalai reserve forest already had water storage which caters to the animals and birds.
A couple of water troughs were being lled with water in Sengeerai reserve forest in Arimalam area in Pudukottai district. This was being done by drawing water from the borewells. Of the four ponds inside the huge District Collectorate complex in Pudukottai town, two had water spread.
Home to peacocks
The green Collectorate premises has been serving as a home for several peacocks.
Ocials said the reserve forests in Pudukottai district were home to spotted deer, monkeys, pythons, rabbits, mongoose, and monitor lizards, while deer, monkeys and birds were found in the reserve forests in Tiruchi Forest Range.