Forest department builds water troughs in Perambalur reserve forests to help birds, animals quench their thirst

With the onset of summer, the Forest department has started filling water in the newly established troughs inside reserve forests in Perambalur district to quench the thirst of animals and birds.

With the onset of summer, the Forest department has started filling water in the newly established troughs inside reserve forests in Perambalur district to quench the thirst of animals and birds. The move is aimed at preventing animals from entering human habitations in search of water as mercury soars.

In addition to the existing old structures, the department has constructed 20 water troughs additionally inside the 24 reserve forests in Perambalur district with funds provided by the District Collector. The Perambalur Forest Division encompasses two Forest Ranges of Perambalur and Veppanthattai.

The new troughs have been established inside the reserve forests within the limits of the Perambalur and Veppanthattai forest ranges. Each trough has been constructed at a cost of around ₹1.8 lakh with a capacity to hold about 5,000 to 6,000 litres of water, said a Forest department official. 

The troughs have been created at chosen locations inside the sprawling reserve forests. The new troughs have been set up at Naranamangalam, Sithali, Puliyur, Siruvachur, Venbavur, and Maavaligai.

The reserve forests in Perambalur district are home to deer, wild boar, mongoose, monkeys besides peacock and other birds and reptiles.  Every summer, as temperature soars, animals and birds find it difficult to quench their thirst. On many occasions, they come out of the reserve forests in search of water and get hit by vehicles, the official said.

Filling the new troughs with water periodically would address the problem to a large extent and prevent animals from straying into human habitations in search of water, the official said. The old troughs were being cleaned and repaired. Water is drawn from ponds, tanks, and other waterbodies and transported by tankers to fill the troughs.

Another official said water troughs in reserve forests in Pudukottai district will be filled regularly.