MCG to help forest department fill Aravalli water pits in Gurgaon

The forest department and the MCG have decided to work together to fill water pits dug in the Aravallis

The forest department and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) have decided to work together to fill water pits dug by the department in the Aravallis.

The forest department is digging up water pits in the Aravalli forest areas to prevent thirsty wild animals from straying into areas with human habitation.

As the Aravalli hills dry out completely during summer, wild animals come out of the forest area in search of water. To control the rising incidents of leopards and hyenas venturing into human habitation, the forest department had started filling the pits with water. However, the department has only one tanker, with a capacity of 3,000 litres.

“We had a meeting with MCG today (on Wednesday) and they have agreed to provide us with a water tanker that we will use to fill water pits in Bandhwari,” said MD Sinha, conservator of forest, south Haryana.

Forest officials said they will fill the water pits twice a week. “Our officials will release a tender for this purpose,” said Sinha.

MCG commissioner, V Umashankar, said, “We too have a responsibility towards wildlife and we will collaborate with the forest department to fill water pits in the Aravallis.”

Sinha said the forest department had dug five to six pits in every district at important locations from the Dumduma Lake to the Bandhwari stretch. They were dug in the forest areas, away from the villages so that domestic animals do not flock there.

Apart from the water pits exercise, the forest department is also joining hands with the MCG to identify green belts within the city and develop them as a natural habitat for birds and animals.