Bengaluru: The current water crisis in the city is not confined to its residents, but even animals are finding it difficult to survive.
Bannerghatta Biological Park is reportedly facing the water shortage, and sources said the water yield in most of the borewells have gone down. “All the water bodies in the national park and surrounding areas have dried up,” he said on the condition of anonymity.
When zoo authorities were contacted they maintained that they had discussed the issue with BWSSB.
“Yes, there is an issue and water is needed for the animals and visitors as well. We witness more than 7,000 visitors. Water will be purchased if there is any requirement. As of now, we are managing with the borewells,” he added.
The water level in the ponds is low. Spread over 2,000 hectares, the biological park is home to more than 1,300 species of the animals and birds, and requires huge quantity of water not only to meet the drinking water demand of the animals, but also to avoid any untoward incident like fire. However, the officers at Bannerghatta National Park (BNP), which manages the safari and other peripheral areas, maintain that there is no water shortage. “We do not have any issue at the national park. Every precaution has been taken and things are pretty good here,” said Prashanth, DFO, BNP.
The activists pointed that the situation in Malnad region is alarming as water scarcity is driving elephants to coffee estates.
