Despite the heavy rain this year, the forest department has begun works to ensure enough water for the wildlife in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) by setting up water troughs in the buffer zone.
The setting up of the water troughs in the buffer zone will help the forest department in initiating minimal interventions to help wildlife in case of water scarcity, especially during the summer, officials said.
L.C.S Srikanth, Deputy Director of MTR (Buffer Zone), said that the Sigur, Singara, Masinagudi and Thengumarahada ranges in the buffer zone, which are characterised by scrub jungle, are prone to dry hot summers, meaning a lack of availability of water for the rich array of wildlife that inhabit the area.
Apart from the eight new water troughs being installed, officials said that existing percolation pits, which have been around for many decades, are to be repaired and restored to prepare for next summer. “There are 10 percolation pits located along the Moyar and Siriyur Road, which when repaired with concrete can be used as water troughs,” said Mr. Srikanth, adding that the forest department aims at readying all the 18 water troughs in the coming weeks.
The rains this year had ensured that there would be enough water for the wildlife in the tiger reserve’s buffer zone for the foreseeable future, said officials.
Even Thengumarahada, which usually received less rainfall, had received higher than average rainfall this year, ensuring fodder and water for the next few months, said a forest department official.
