Warangal: The water crisis is driving wild animals out into human habitations to quench their thirst, much to the growing alarm of the forest authorities and villagers. The water bodies in forests have dried up due to deficient rainfall and the heat of summer.
There have been reports of poaching in villages, abutting the forests in Eturnagaram, Tadvai and Pakhal, where animals like the peacock, deer and pig, wandering into the fringe areas for a drink of water, are falling easy prey to the guns of hunters.
Last year, there were many cases of peacocks coming out of the forests in search of water and dying after drinking the water in the agriculture fields as it had pesticide mixed in it. In Budharaopet in Khanapur mandal, a sambar deer came wandering out in search of water when it was attacked by stray dogs and villagers. It was later saved by forest officials and given medical treatment. In another case, a fawn which was attacked by dogs, succumbed to injuries near Pakhal.
Wildlife DFO K. Purushotham said, “We are conducting awareness programmes for the people on conserving forest animals. Animals are straying out of the forest due to lack of water. We are making arrangements to provide water for them by creating small ponds. We will also grow trees which can provide food,” he said. Forest cover is also being affected due to shift cultivation.
Official figures say in Eturnagaram forest alone 15,000 hectares of forests have been affected since 2005. Officials are taking steps to increase forest cover by planting trees as part of Haritha Haaram. Officials say that they would take strict action against those cultivating crops illegally on forest land.
