In the face of sweltering temperatures across Karnataka, citizens and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have stepped forward with crucial initiatives to ensure that urban and wild animals have access to water.
Organized Efforts to Combat Dehydration
Numerous NGOs are actively distributing water bowls across cities and towns to provide much-needed hydration for stray animals. Organizations like People for Animals (PFA) in Bengaluru have distributed over 300 water bowls this summer alone as part of their ongoing ‘Operation Quench Thirst’. This initiative extends to placing cement bowls for stray animals and larger cement tanks within forested areas, such as Turahalli forest, to support wildlife like spotted deer, peacocks, and wild boars. PFA also deploys water tankers to refill these sources, aiming to keep animals within their natural habitats and reduce human-animal conflict. Colonel. Dr. Navaz Shariff, Chief Veterinarian at PFA, highlighted the importance of this effort in keeping animals safe and hydrated. The organization also actively rescues wildlife animals and provides them with water.
Another significant contributor is Water for Voiceless, an NGO operating in 35 cities across India, including Bengaluru. Beyond distributing water bowls, they are raising awareness about the plight of animals suffering from heat and dehydration. Their efforts include partnerships with educational institutions and the organization of events like marathons and exhibitions to reach a broader audience. Water for Voiceless collaborates with the Forest Department and has established partnerships with eight district courts in Karnataka to enhance their reach and effectiveness in assisting stray animals. Supriya H B, public relations officer for WFV, stated that their work focuses on providing bowls in urban areas and replenishing natural water sources in forests to prevent animals from venturing into human settlements.
Addressing Wildlife Needs in Forests
The ‘Operation Quench Thirst’ initiative, a collaboration between People for Animals and the Karnataka Forest Department, is specifically focused on replenishing water sources within Turahalli Forest. This project involves daily water tanker deployments and the installation of water troughs strategically placed across Turahalli and KB Kaval forest ranges. These efforts are critical for ensuring that the diverse wildlife, including leopards, spotted deer, wild boars, golden jackals, mongooses, hares, and peacocks, have consistent access to water within their natural habitat. The NGO noted that during peak summer, dehydration-related rescues surge by nearly 30%, with animals often injured or succumbing to dehydration when natural water sources dry up.
The need for such initiatives has become increasingly apparent as extreme heat impacts the region. Reports indicate a rise in animals and birds collapsing due to dehydration, leading to an increase in rescue calls. In previous years, PFA has reported rescuing numerous animals, including spotted deer, black kites, barn owls, and other species, often found injured after venturing out of forest zones in search of water. These animals are frequently victims of road accidents or attacks by feral dogs when they are forced to leave their natural habitats.
Community Involvement and Awareness
The efforts are not solely driven by NGOs; citizens are also playing an active role. Various initiatives encourage the public to place water bowls in accessible locations and maintain them. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has also partnered with NGOs like Water for Voiceless to distribute free water bowls, utilizing QR codes for citizens to sign up. This program aims to foster empathy among residents and encourage them to provide water for stray animals during the water crisis. The founder of Water for Voiceless, Sunny Jain, initiated the movement after witnessing animals suffer due to lack of water, emphasizing that distributing bowls is also a means of raising awareness about the issue.
These collective actions underscore a growing concern for animal welfare in urban and natural environments, with a concerted push to mitigate the risks posed by extreme heat and water scarcity.
The Chenab Times News Desk