To ensure water availability to wild animals, officials of Marayur Sandal division in Idukki constructed temporary brushwood check dams inside the forest areas.
According to Forest department officials, temperature is soaring due to the absence of summer showers in the Marayur division, resulting in water scarcity inside the forest areas.
Marayur Sandal Division Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) M.G. Vinod Kumar said that over 30 brushwood check dams have been constructed inside the forest areas of Marayur and Kanthallur divisions. “Normally, the area receives summer showers in February and March, which ensures water security for wild animals inside the forests. But this year, there is a water shortage inside the forests due to absence of summer rain,” said Mr. Kumar.
“Most of the big streams are in a dried condition,” added Mr. Kumar.
“The small streams inside the forests are still active, but the stream water is not suitable for drinking. The Forest department constructed temporary brushwood check dams in the streams, which will ensure water security for the animals and avoid the foray of wild animals into human habitations in search of water,” said the official.
“Brushwood check dams were constructed using wooden pieces, stones and soil. Such check dams will not block the natural flow of the streams. After heavy rain, they will wash away,” said Mr Kumar.
Wild animals are regularly arriving at these check dams to drink water, according to officials.
Maryur falls in a rain-shadow area, as part of an ecologically sensitive zone on the eastern side of the Western Ghats.
Recently, officials also repaired and filled over five ponds inside the forest areas to ensure water availability for wild elephants, including wild tusker Padayappa.
