Forest department to dig water pits in Aravallis for wild animals

The scorching heat has not only affected humans but also animals in the city. Keeping this in mind, the forest department is planning to create water pits in the Aravallis for wild animals.

The region has recorded a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius. Also, the Aravallis during this time of the year do not hold any water. The officials said that they will create depression points so animals can have easy access to water.

“The plan is to have small water pits of about 2 to 3 feet in the Aravallis. We have observed that animals are suffering and we are trying to provide some relief to them,” said MD Sinha, conservator of forest.

As part of the initiative, areas with wildlife presence are being identified by the department with the help of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

“We will also take help from the WII survey to create pits in the forest area. I have asked my rangers to create pits in their regions. We have submitted a proposal and we can start work on the plan within a week,” said Sinha.

The department is also planning to preserve old water bodies in the Aravallis. “We will fill the pits with water during the summer season. In the monsoon, the pits will be filled by rainwater. Also, we need to create these pits away from habitation so that domesticated animals do not flock around,” said Sinha.

Water is a major issue in the region as the groundwater table in Gurgaon has been depleting at an alarming rate — 14.16 metres between 2005 and 2014. The water table has depleted by around 7ft in the region and the groundwater extraction currently stands at around 312%, which aggravates the problem.

Water pits in the Aravallis might change the plight of wild animals.