Coimbatore: As severe drought situation prevails in Valparai, all water bodies inside the reserve areas and the town has completely dried up, leaving the wildlife in search of food and water. The forest department has issued warning to the residents living in tea estates to be watchful, as wildlife intrusions will be a frequent phenomenon, until the the summer rains begins.
Coimbatore: As severe drought situation prevails in Valparai, all water bodies inside the reserve areas and the town has completely dried up, leaving the wildlife in search of food and water. The forest department has issued warning to the residents living in tea estates to be watchful, as wildlife intrusions will be a frequent phenomenon, until the the summer rains begins.
Despite implementing drought management and preventive measures, the officials from the forest department opine that such efforts will only help to minimise the damage. Artificial troughs and ponds inside the forest area are being filled with water to reduce straying of wild animals into human habitations..
The main water bodies including the Koozhankal river, Nadumalai river and Pudhuthottam river have completely dried up, leading to acute water shortage in the Sholaiyar dam, which is the prime source of water supply in the Parambikulam-Aliyar project.
The Sholiyar dam, with a total capacity of 165 feet, currently holds only 28 feet of water, and all the water sources to the dam are drying up, everyday.
As all perennial water holes in the forest areas has dried up, chances of animal intrusion, especially elephants will be more, say the foresters who have issued warning to the residents to stay alert.
"Though nothing much can be done to mitigate animal intrusion during drought. Only summer rains can bring respite", opined a tea estate worker at Nadumalai.