Gurgaon: MCG and forest department start filling up Aravalli water pits

The move aims to provide relief to thirsty wild animals who end up venturing into human habitats looking for water

With a view to providing relief to the Aravalli wildlife from the scorching summer heat, the forest department along with the Municipal Corporation of Gururgram (MCG) has started the process of filling the pits with water.

This year, the forest officials dug five new water pits in Rojka Gujjar, near the Bandhwari (Gurgaon-Faridabad Road) and in Mandawar forest areas (Representative Photo)

The move comes close on the heels of a spurt in the number of incidents of leopards and hyenas venturing into human habitats.

This is the first time that both the departments have joined hands in filling up the pits. As the forest department has only one water tanker, it sought the MCG’s help and the latter soon came on board for a joint operation.

“Though we are filling the pits with water, it is could, at best, provide temporary relief to animals. We need more tree cover and sustainable plans to help the wildlife survive the summer,” MD Sinha, conservator of forest, south Haryana, said.

The animals come out of the forest area in search of water during summer, as the pits in the Aravalli hills region dry out completely.

This year, the forest officials dug five new water pits in Rojka Gujjar, near the Bandhwari (Gurgaon-Faridabad Road) and in Mandawar forest areas to provide relief to the wildlife and also reduce incidents of man-animal conflict. These were mining pits, which were later turned into sources of water for the animals. Trails too were created to help the animals reach the pits.