Aravali watering holes drying up, greens flag animal deaths

Gurgaon: Wild animals, including blue bulls and peacocks, are dying in the Aravalis, according to locals and activists, as water holes made by the forest and wildlife department are drying up due to rising temperatures.
According to activists, the department is yet to come up with a proper mechanism to transport water to these holes, regularly. On the other hand, locals said that there were not enough water holes in the Aravalis to meet the needs of all animals.
“Two nilgai carcasses were found close to a drying water hole in Faridabad. The water holes are drying up due to rising temperatures and the authorities have failed to fill them up. It is disheartening to see wild animals dying due to man-made challenges,” said Vaishali Rana Chandra, an environmentalist.
Shivani Sharma, a wildlife activist, said that it was not the first time that animals were dying due to lack of water. “We reported some cases, last summer too. It is unfortunate that wildlife in the Aravalis suffers every year and authorities don’t learn any lessons. They should have filled up the water holes on time. The water holes should be revived, immediately.”
However, a Kadarpur resident said that the department officials had been prompt in filling up the water holes, this year. “But there are not enough water holes here. A few days ago, I saw a dead peacock in the area. A large part of the forest remains dry, the entire summer, and there is an urgent need for more water holes,” said the resident.
Officials with the department claimed that they had arranged for two more water tankers, this year, to fill up the holes. A senior wildlife official said, “Adequate arrangements have been made by both the Gurgaon and Faridabad offices. There are enough water tankers — the Gurgaon division has three now to carry water regularly to the Aravalis. Also, we have written to the civic authorities to make arrangements so that all water holes remain filled throughout the season.” When asked about the Neelgai deaths, he said that it did not seem like they had died of water shortage.
There are at least 22 artificial water holes in Bandhwari, Sohna, Raisina Hills, Faridabad, Gwalpahari, and other areas.