The seasonal migration of wild animals has begun from the adjacent wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) in search of fodder and water.
The sanctuary is a haven for elephants, gaur, antelopes, bears, and numerous birds during summer, because of the easy availability of fodder and water.
The annual migration usually begins by February end and will continue till the advent of monsoon. But the recent forest fire incidences reported in the adjacent tiger reserves such as Bandipur and Nagarhole and drought-like situation in those regions have resulted in an increased flow of wildlife to the WSS this year, P. Dhaneshkumar, warden in charge, WSS, told The Hindu .
The Forest Department has made efforts to ensure fodder, water, and safety to the migrating wild guests. Apart form 42 check-dams, two temporary earthen dams have been built inside the sanctuary as a precaution against streams drying up during summer, Mr. Dhaneshkumar said.
To provide fodder, the coarse grasslands in the sanctuary have been trimmed to allow growth of soft grass. Invasive plants such as Senna spectabilis and lantana have been cleared on 175 hectares of land to provide fodder, he said. The sanctuary will be closed for tourists from March 1 to April 20 so as to ensure a trouble-free migration for the animals.
Apart from the 23 permanent anti-poaching camps and two watchtowers, 11 newly erected treetop machans (temporary watch towers) have started functioning this year. Fire line works have been completed on 167-km stretches on the fringes of the sanctuary. As many as 162 watchers have been deployed inside the sanctuary, including 113 newly appointed temporary watchers, to prevent forest fires.
The watchers were equipped with binoculars and wireless apparatus. Free rationing is also provided for the as they are working in remote areas, he said.
