Drying rivulets leave tiger reserves parched

As the drying rivulets are eating the State’s funds from the forest department, this was not the scenario until 2000. “Tiger reserves and national parks are becoming like cities where the provision of water is essential during summer,” fume forest department insiders blaming the DMK and the AIADMK governments for their failure in water management and conservation.

Even the pristine pockets of rainforests in the State are not protected and water depletion is visible in parts of Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Thengumarada and Krishnagiri that support wildlife. A steady degradation of forests in Western Ghats is evident due to human activities and the degraded jungle has converted perennial rivers into seasonal rivers, explained a senior forest official.

According to forest department sources, more than 100 water tankers are departed by the forest department on a weekly basis to fill the percolation ponds in forests covering four tiger reserves and three national parks. The water required to protect the saplings had also surged by 200 per cent in this season, forcing field rangers to regularly plead with the water managers seeking potable water.

A recent survey by the forest department has shown that out of the total 316 square km of original rainforests area in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, only a patch of 188 square km of the forest is left and is deteriorating further due to climate changes, the official sources said, adding more funds are now used to provide water in tiger reserves to prevent the wild animals from straying into neighbouring villages.

“Rainforest soil contains rich mineral nutrient and act like giant sponges soaking up moisture and then release it gradually preventing floods and ensure that the rivers flow throughout the year, this natural cycle has been affected due to commercial activities forcing the forest department to supply water in core jungle,” said conservation scientist A Kumaraguru and member of Sathyamangalam Tiger Conservation Authority.

At present, the foresters are providing artificial replenishment inside reserve forests to provide water for animals and to maintain moist. This situation will change only if the damaged forests are restored back to its position.