Jamshedpur: Dalma  sanctuary water bodies have plenty of water thanks to a mechanism

It will prevent jumbos and other animals to venture into villages to quench thirst

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, September 7: Elephants and other animals inside Dalma sanctuary would no longer venture into villages to quench their thirst.

There is ample water inside the sprawling 192 sq km elephant abode, 30 km from Jamshedpur, thanks to a mechanism that doesn’t allow water to run off.

The over 40-odd check dams and around a around 78 watering holes are brimming over due to the mechanism which prevents jumbos and other animals from slipping into villages and hamlets for water, which creates man-animal conflict.

Some of the check dams have come up on natural drains inside the sanctuary. This has helped rainwater from flowing down into the Subarnarekha river and Dimna lake from the Dalma hills.

The check dams built near Badka Bandh, Nichla Bandh, Chotka Bandh, Majhla Bandh, Rajdoha and Bijli Ghati have helped to maintain the water level at these watering holes.

“Unlike in April, when most of the water bodies had dried up due to intense heat, water level is very good now. There is plenty of water. Our mechanism, which was implemented over two years back, is showing the right results,” a forester said.

Generally water bodies inside the elephant abode go dry in April and May.

Abundance of water will also help maintain the groundwater level at Pinderbera forest guest house, located around 14km from the main entry gates at Makulakocha.

Though the Pinderbera facility is currently not let out to tourists, forest guards and guest house staff stay at nearby residential quarters. They face acute shortage of water as the water table goes down in peak summer.

Foresters used to transport water in tankers from Makulakocha (at the foothills) for the tourists who flock the scenic sanctuary from Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Chattisgarh.

“There will be no water shortage this year. It’s good that our tiresome efforts to keep man animal conflict at the minimum. Man-animal conflict is a huge headache for us,” the forester said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, a section of elephants have left the sanctuary for the annual sojourn to the jungles of West Midnapore and Bankura in neighbouring West Bengal while some are scattered at the foothills and fringe pockets.