Wildlife enthusiasts urge forest department to clean and refill water tanks

Due to drought conditions in the forest, herds of elephants are migrating towards water tanks in search of water. However, many water tanks built by the forest department to deter elephants from entering nearby towns are in a state of disrepair, according to complaints. 

The Mettupalayam, Sirumugai, and Karamadai forest areas, part of the Coimbatore forest reserve, are frequent routes for wild elephants. These areas serve as a passage connecting Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka forest regions, attracting herds of elephants. With natural water sources such as ponds, streams, and puddles drying up due to insufficient rainfall and early onset of summer, elephants are increasingly turning to water tanks for hydration. 

Unfortunately, many of these tanks are not properly maintained. Some have broken borehole motors, while others remain uncleared for months, resulting in stagnant, algae-filled water that elephants refuse to drink. As a result, elephants continue to wander in search of clean water, posing a heightened risk of human-animal conflict as they encroach upon villages near the forest. Wildlife enthusiasts urge the forest department to address this issue urgently by maintaining and filling the water tanks regularly to mitigate potential conflicts.