Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, May 13: During the summer season, wild animals often venture into human-inhabited areas in search of drinking water and food. To address this issue, the National Environment Conservation Federation (NECF), an NGO in the city, has collaborated with forest department officials to construct cement tanks in the forests. These tanks serve the dual purpose of providing water to animals during the dry season and preventing them from damaging crops or endangering human lives.

In previous years, NECF had built temporary tanks in the forests, but they often dried up during water scarcity, forcing animals to venture into mainland areas. To address this, NECF has now constructed permanent cement tanks in certain forest locations. These tanks consist of a five-foot-long cement ring with a one-foot depth, continuously supplied with water through pipelines. Additionally, fruit plants are grown around the tanks to provide additional food and water sources for wild animals, reducing the likelihood of them attacking farmhouses or humans.

One such water tank has been constructed in the Moodbidri forest in cooperation with the forest department, made of stone and supplied with water through a tunnel. Similarly, in the Siddapur forest, the forest department itself has constructed a natural water tank.

NECF has also built cement water tanks at strategic locations such as Amparu Badabalu in Udupi, Tondle, and Saminakoodlu in Byndoor along the routes frequently used by wild animals. These tanks serve as vital watering points for various animals including tigers, deer, and bears. The organization plans to construct similar tanks in forests at Shiroor, Nagoor, and Kalmakki.

Furthermore, the forest department has undertaken the task of removing silt from the tanks in various forests to increase water levels during the summer months. This initiative has been carried out at approximately 32 locations in forests across Sullia, Puttur, Beltangady, Bantwal, Panja, Subramanya, and Kadaba. As a result, wild animals in these areas have not faced water scarcity this summer, as reported by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Sridhar.

Each cement water tank costs Rs 25,000, a cost covered by NECF. Additionally, civilians living on the edge of the forest are contributing by providing water for these initiatives.