MCG comes to forest department’s help, to fill up water holes for Aravali wildlife

The forest department and MCG on Wednesday joined hands to provide water to the Aravali wildlife, facing a hot and dry summer.

In a one-of-its-kind initiative, MCG will assist the forest department in sending water tankers to the Aravalis, what with wild animals reportedly emerging from their forested habitats in search of water. The step was taken after a jackal was spotted by the forest department looking for water in a sludge-filled furrow in Bandhwari.

“Even though we’ve been sending water tankers regularly to the Aravalis, to fill up water holes dug by the department for wild animals, we’ve not been able to meet the need due to cost constraints. After a jackal was seen struggling to quench its thirst in Bandhwari, we requested MCG to help us with some tankers. I’m glad the MCG commissioner promptly agreed to provide tankers,” said M D Sinha, conservator of forests (Gurgaon circle).
There are two water holes in Faridabad, which are being filled regularly filled by the forest department, with the help of an NGO. The five water holes spread across Bandhwari and Roz Ka Gujjar will now be covered by the forest department and MCG. The water holes, measuring about 2-3 ft deep, need to be filled up every alternate day.

The corporation has allocated one tanker to transport water to the Aravalis as and when required. “We’ve allocated a dedicated water tanker for this purpose. It can make as many visits as required. Our aim is to quench the thirst of wildlife, as the heat is rising,” said MCG commissioner Uma Shankar.
The forest department is also planning to release a tender inviting private companies to do the job. The department has also requested NGOs to come forward and assist it till the tender is finalised.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/mcg-comes-to-forest-depts-help-to-fill-up-water-holes-for-aravali-wildlife/articleshow/58388522.cms