1 day Ago By M Srinivas
Nalgonda: In the sprawling 65,030-hectare forest, the district’s forest department used to have man-made ponds and saucer pits with water filled by tankers to quench the thirst of wild animals. However, this time the department has constructed 162 check dams, 188 percolation tanks, 408 rock fill dams, and 127,167 harvesting pits to help wild animals beat the summer heat. With the summer’s heat threatening water supplies, a dynamic system — dividing the forest into 21 sections and 80 beats — is now in place, heralding an era of innovative wildlife management designed to keep every creature quenched and thriving.
These structures are designed not only to provide drinking water but also to enhance the groundwater level, thereby safeguarding the health of trees during the dry season. With a robust monsoon season, check dams and percolation tanks have been effectively replenished. Officials report that these measures have led to a noticeable increase in wildlife activity.
Footage captured by trap cameras indicates that species such as hyenas, jungle cats, wolves, and bears have nearly doubled in numbers, with similar trends observed for tigers and leopards in the Nagarjunasagar forest division. District forest officer P. Rajasekhar emphasised that the multi-pronged strategy is intended to make the Nallamala forest a haven for wildlife.
"Our efforts ensure that animals have sufficient access to water within the forest, reducing the need to venture into nearby villages, which has previously led to human-animal conflicts," he said. Recent incidents in Chandampet mandal, located near the Nallamala forest, have underscored the importance of these preventive measures. In addition to infrastructure improvements, the department is actively engaging local communities.
Special initiatives aim to raise awareness about wildlife protection, with a stern warning that poaching of protected species will result in stringent penalties..
